Table-toppers Barcelona look to continue their 100% winning start to the La Liga season, but face a tough trip to unbeaten third-placed side Atletico Madrid.Atletico have been the third best team in the Spanish league for several seasons now and currently sit in their familiar position of third in the table. Four wins and three draws from their opening seven league matches is solid form, considering just two of those have been played at home.
They have a 100% home record, with two wins from two and no goals conceded.
Atletico Madrid
Despite that form, they will be slightly disappointed to have been held to a goalless draw at Leganes in their most recent fixture. Although they haven’t been lethal in-front of goal, scoring just five goals in their last five, they have been brilliant defensively and conceded just one goal in those five matches. Recent League Form (Last 6) – DWWWDW.
Barcelona
Barcelona have been simply unstoppable this term, with seven wins from seven league matches and twenty-three goals scored. Not only have they been scoring goals for fun, they have only conceded twice overall in those seven games. At home, they have played four, won four, scored sixteen, and conceded just one. Lionel Messi has been in phenomenal scoring form, netting eleven league goals already. These include a hat-trick against Espanyol, and four against Eibar. If Barcelona can continue this run of outstanding form, it will be extremely tough for anyone to stop their march towards another La Liga title. Recent League Form (Last 6) – WWWWWW.
Team News
Atletico have defender Filipe Luis and midfielder Augusto Fernandez doubtful for this fixture, with both nursing muscle injuries. Barcelona have Arda Turan doubtful with a bruised metatarsal bone, whilst Ousmane Dembele and Rafinha remain on the long-term injury list.
Head to Head
In 56 meetings since 1993, Barcelona have won 28, Atletico have 15 victories, and there have been 13 draws. Barcelona completely dominate in recent years though, with nine wins in the last twelve meetings. Atletico’s last victory over Barcelona came in the Champions League in April 2016, with their last league win in this fixture coming back in February 2010.
The most recent meeting was in the league in February this year, when an 86th minute Messi goal gave Barcelona a narrow 2-1 away victory. An interesting statistic to take note of ahead of this game is that there have been eight red cards shown in the last ten meetings between these sides.
Betting Odds and Predictions
Despite the magnificent form Barcelona are in, the bookmakers know this is going to be an extremely tough challenge for them. Therefore, the visitors are priced as just a narrow favourite. Sky Bet have Barcelona priced at 6/4, with Atletico Madrid at odds of 7/4, and the draw at 12/5. Even though Atletico are a tough team to beat, and are yet to lose in the league this season, we believe Barcelona will have a little too much quality for them here. The visitors are determined to win back their La Liga title, and are brushing everyone aside in their pursuit of it.
It will be a close game, so Barcelona to win by exactly one goal (3/1) or exactly two goals (15/2) both look fantastic bets for this match. You cannot look at potential bets for this match without considering Lionel Messi to score. The Argentinian single-handedly helped his country qualify for the World Cup this week and he has already netted eleven league goals this term. Odds of 1/1 for him to score anytime here looks fantastic value, and would be foolish to ignore.
Both teams have score in seven of the last eight meetings, including the last four. It’s priced at 4/6 for Both Teams to Score in this match, which is another bet providing great profit potential. Five of the last eight meetings have finished 2-1 to Barcelona, and there are plenty of options to bet on if you think this match will end with that score. Barcelona to win 2-1 here is priced at 17/2, BTTS and Barcelona win is 7/2, Over 2.5 Goals and Barcelona win is priced at 11/4. A bet which could provide great profit is Messi to score first and Barcelona to win 2-1, at odds of 20/1.
Top Betting Tips
Our top betting tip for this match is simply a Barcelona win in the match result market. Sky Bet have this priced at 6/4, which is odds that provide decent profit potential. Next best is Lionel Messi to score anytime, at odds of 1/1 with the same bookmaker.