Atletico Madrid host Barcelona in a crunch clash in this season’s La Liga title race.
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona best bets
- Barcelona to win – 23/20 with Betfair
- Barcelona over 1.5 goals – 10/13 with BetMGM
- Lamine Yamal to score or assist – 6/4 with Sky Bet
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona odds
Find the latest match odds for Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona. All odds are provided by our best football betting sites. Odds are subject to change.
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona predictions
It was a familiar sinking feeling for Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. For the fifth time in five Champions League knockout ties against their local rivals Real Madrid, Atletico came out second best.
This defeat was not as painful as the losses in the finals of 2014 and 2016, when Madrid outdid their neighbours in extra time and on penalties respectively.
It will not have felt that way on Wednesday night, though. Atletico were the better team in the second leg. They took an early lead through Conor Gallagher, who turned the ball home with less than a minute on the clock.
That goal restored parity on aggregate and Atletico pushed for another goal to give them the lead. Madrid had chances of their own, especially in the second half and most notably from the penalty spot. But Vinicius Junior blazed his kick high and wide, and Atletico fans began to wonder whether it might be their night.
In the end they were disappointed. The penalty shoot-out turned on a moment of controversy, as VAR ruled out Julian Alvarez’s successful spot-kick for a double touch.
That gave Madrid the advantage and, although Lucas Vazquez saw a subsequent effort saved, Antonio Rudiger’s conversion sent the Blancos through to the last eight.
Had you looked at the two managers at that moment, you would have been forgiven for thinking Atletico had emerged triumphant.
Ancelotti, his head bowed and his brow furrowed, walked slowly onto the pitch. Diego Simeone went around the Riyadh Air Metropolitano whipping up the fans, imploring them to show their support for the team one last time.
There is scarcely any time for Atletico to dwell on their latest European heartbreak at the hands of Madrid. They host Barcelona this weekend in a game that could end up being pivotal in the La Liga title race.
Barca, who beat Benfica on Tuesday to reach the last eight of the Champions League, are top of the table, ahead of Madrid thanks to a superior head-to-head record. Atletico are just a point behind the pair.
There is still everything to play for in Spain’s top flight. All is not lost for Atletico, but they doubtless would have preferred a kinder fixture immediately after a Madrid derby that was even more intense and dramatic than usual.
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona betting tips
Which team will triumph when Atletico Madrid and Barcelona butt heads on Sunday?
Barcelona to win
It is hard to see how Atletico Madrid will be able to lift themselves in time for this game after such a dramatic defeat by their biggest rivals just a few days ago.
Atletico had to play for 120 minutes on Wednesday, a day after Barcelona had a much more comfortable game that lasted only 90 minutes.
Atletico expended more physical effort than Barcelona in midweek, but the nature of their match induced extra mental strain too.
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That gives Barca the edge. They may have lost 2-1 at home to Atletico earlier in the campaign, but that was a smash-and-grab win for the Colchoneros. On the balance of chances created, the Catalans were the better team that night.
Flick’s team have returned to form recently and they can compound Atletico’s recent woes on Sunday.
Tip Barcelona to win at 23/20 with Betfair
Barcelona over 1.5 goals
Barcelona have been scoring goals for fun this season. They have found the back of the net 71 times in La Liga alone, which is 14 more than Real Madrid and a mammoth 27 more than Atletico Madrid.
They do take risks defensively, with Flick’s side deploying what must be the highest defensive line in world football at the moment.
That means Atletico should get some joy in behind provided they time their runs right and pass the ball forward at the optimal moment.
But if Barcelona need to score twice to emerge triumphant, they are more than capable of doing just that.
After all, the Blaugrana are averaging more than three goals per game in their last six La Liga outings.
Back Barcelona to score over 1.5 goals at 10/13 with BetMGM
Lamine Yamal to score or assist
When you watch him play, it is easy to forget Lamine Yamal is just 17 years of age.
We have seen countless talented but raw forwards emerge over the years, but few are able to combine their natural gifts with maturity and wise decision-making while they are still in their teens.
Yamal scored a superb goal against Benfica last time out. Despite his tender years, there is no doubt he is among the world’s best players right now.
The Spain international has scored five times and provided 11 assists in La Liga this season.
There is a high chance he will have a direct hand in another goal this weekend.
Choose Lamine Yamal to score or assist at 6/4 with Sky Bet
How to watch Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona
- Location: Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain.
- Date and time: Sunday 16th March, 8pm.
- How to watch: TNT Sports 3.
Read more about the 2024/25 football season
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About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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