Prediction: Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: bet365

Atletico Madrid and Barcelona will be vying for one place in the Copa del Rey final with the first leg taking place at Vicente Calderon on Wednesday evening. Considering that both sides have experienced problems in La Liga, this could be their best chance of winning a major trophy this term.

Atletico Madrid

The fact that many believe that Atletico Madrid should be doing better this season is a testament to how much Diego Simeone’s side have progressed in recent years and los Colchoneros have since become experts in coping with increased expectations. But, after several serious assaults on the La Liga trophy, it would appear as though Atletico will not be vying for the league trophy this season, as they are now ten points behind leaders Real Madrid, who also have a game in hand. As things stand now, los Colchoneros will be fighting Real Sociedad for the final Champions League berth, and if they want to lift a major trophy they will have to win the Copa del Rey semi-final clash with Barcelona. Atletico Madrid will have to raise the standard of their recent performances if they want to set up a clash in the final against either Celta Vigo or Deportivo Alaves given that they have failed to win any of their last three fixtures, albeit not losing either. Head coach Diego Simeone also has a number of injuries to content with, meaning that the hosts are not in a good position at the moment, but if anyone can play to the maximum of their abilities in a match like this, it is Atletico.

Team News

Jose Maria Gimenez and Angel Correa are the latest casualties at Vicente Calderon, whilst Jan Oblak, Tiago Mendes and Augusto Fernandez are in the treatment room as well.

Thomas Partey is away on international duty, whereas latest reports suggest that Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco will start up front alongside Antoine Griezmann.

Barcelona

Just like Atletico Madrid, Barcelona have been in standing in Real Madrid’s shade for much of the current campaign, with the Catalans making yet another slip up at the weekend. There were plenty of controversial decisions in the clash with Real Betis, but Luis Enrique’s side ultimately had to salvage one point, with Luis Suarez scoring in the dying moments to make it 1-1. After said result, Barcelona sit four points behind their bitter rivals, who also have a game in hand, meaning they definitely face an uphill task. However, after eliminating high-flying Real Sociedad in the previous stage of the Copa del Rey, the Catalans will be looking to edge closer to the coveted trophy by defeating out-of-sorts Atletico Madrid at Vicente Calderon. That is easier said than done now that both Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets miss out through injury, but Barcelona do appear to be in better shape than the opposition. The Catalans have been very successful in past meetings with los Colchoneros, winning seven of their last nine matches, but they have a draw and defeat in last two.

Team News

Rafinha is expected to return to the squad, but Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Marc Cardona are all out of contention.

Key Factors to Consider

• Barcelona won seven of last nine matches vs Atletico (D1 L1)
• Barca won last four Copa del Rey meetings with Atletico
• Miguel Moya has conceded 31 goals in 12 games vs Barcelona
• Barcelona win just one of last four away games in Copa del Rey (D2 L1)
• The Catalans scored exactly one goal in each of those matches

Conclusion

Both teams are going through a rough patch at the moment, and with plenty at stake we don’t expect either side to take too many risks. While Atletico forwards have been misfiring of late, the Catalans have sorely missed Andres Iniesta, so our advice is to bet on both teams to score – no.

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: bet365