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Atlético Madrid – FC Barcelona
In La Liga, a real top match is on the agenda at the end of matchday 16. Fourth-placed Atlético Madrid welcome leaders FC Barcelona to the Wanda Petropolitano on Sunday evening, kick-off is at 21:00. Our Atlético vs Barcelona betting tips now tell you what our predictions are for this match and who we think will win the race.
For years in the 21st century, Barcelona were Atlético’s fearsome opponents. Between 2010 and 2020, the Catalans survived an incredible 20 league encounters in a row without defeat. That streak was ended by a 1-0 home win for the Colchoneros in November 2020. Curiously, Atlético won their next home match in October 2021, this time 2-0. In the club’s long history, it has only happened twice before Atlético have won two home matches in a row against Barcelona without conceding a goal. There have never been three such victories in a row. Will it be the first time on Sunday?
Atlético – Barcelona info:
– Date & Time: 08.01.2023, 21:00 hrs.
– Venue: Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid
– Competition: La Liga, Matchday 16
– TV broadcast: DAZN
Atlético Form & Balance Check
The Colchoneros have had an extremely poor start to the two-month World Cup break with just one point from their last three games. In the five games before that, the Madrilenians had picked up an impressive 13 points out of a possible 15. Just before the turn of the year, however, the Rojiblancos put an end to this negative streak and recorded their eighth win of the season against FC Elche. The goals in the 2-0 win came from Alvaro Morata and Joao Felix.
Joao Felix raises the price tag
Second-half was already the most eye-catching man in the weeks leading up to the World Cup. The 23-year-old Portuguese has often been linked with a move to the Premier League in recent months and is apparently looking to put himself in a better negotiating position to do so once again. For the first time in his time at Atlético, he has scored in three consecutive games, with a total of four goals against Cadiz, Espanyol and Elche.
This run is particularly impressive because he had less than half an hour to score the brace against Cadiz and the third goal against Espanyol after coming on as a substitute. It was not until the recent league match against Elche that his improving form was rewarded with a starting eleven nomination. Against Barcelona, he could still be rotated out of the team again due to a more defensive alignment.
Atlético facts & analysis
– 27 points from 15 games
– Last win 2:0 against Elche
– Joao Felix with 4 goals in last 3 games
Barcelona form & balance check
FC Barcelona have played an extremely consistent first half of the season and sit top of the table with 38 points after 15 matchdays. The Catalans have not scored three times so far this season – on Matchday 1 against Rayo Vallecano (0-0), on Matchday 9 at Real Madrid (1-3) and last weekend against Espanyol Barcelona (1-1). In all likelihood, the title fight will nevertheless remain exciting until the end, as the royals from Madrid have also only left seven points on the line so far.
As already mentioned, the Catalans drew with Espanyol Barcelona in their first and so far only match after the World Cup. Marcos Alonso gave Barcelona an early lead in the 7th minute and ex-Hoffenheim player Joselu equalised with a penalty kick in the 73rd minute.
Litigation over Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski saw the yellow-red card in the last league match before the World Cup and was suspended for a total of three matches for his unsportsmanlike conduct. However, his club appealed against the increased penalty, which is why the association decided to lift the ban until further notice. As a result, he played 90 minutes against Espanyol, although even if the increased penalty was lifted, he would have been suspended for at least that match. Due to this fact Espanyol filed a lawsuit after the draw against Barcelona and we can be curious what will come out in the end in this case.
Barcelona facts & analysis
– 38 points from 15 games
– Last played 1:1 against Espanyol Barcelona
– Failed to score 2 times in a row for the first time this season
Predicted line-up – last updated on 7 January 2023
The hosts have no injury worries and could remain almost unchanged compared to the last league match. Only centre-back Mario Hermoso will have to be replaced after his yellow card. Brazilian Felipe could step in for him, otherwise a return to a four-man backline, such as the compact 4-4-2 system, would also be conceivable. World champion Nahuel Montiel could also move into the starting eleven. His compatriot Rodrigo de Paul is still absent, as is Axel Witsel.
For the Catalans, Jordi Alba is out after his yellow card in the city derby. Marcos Alonso is expected to take over his position, with the vacant place in central defence given to Joules Koundé, Eric Garcia or Ronald Araujo. Robert Lewandowski will serve Atlético’s first game of his suspension. The first alternative is Dutchman Memphis Depay. Otherwise, Ousmane Dembélé is still a possible option for the starting eleven.
Atlético – Barcelona direct comparison & Statistics
The long-standing direct comparison goes relatively to FC Barcelona with 78 to 55 wins and 44 draws. In recent years, however, the duels have been very even. The balance of the last ten games is only slightly in favour of the Catalans, with four wins to three and three draws. At home, Atlético have lost only one of the last five meetings. The Colchoneros won the last two home games with 2-0 and 1-0.
– The average number of first-half goals in matches between Atlético Madrid and FC Barcelona is 1.8.
– When FC Barcelona are 1-0 down in away matches, they win 44% of the matches.
– A year ago FC Barcelona were in 6th position in the table with 24 points. Currently they are in position 1 (38).
– A look at Atlético Madrid: Alvaro Morata is the top scorer with 6 goals. Robert Lewandowski scored 13 times for FC Barcelona.
