Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid: can Barcelona secure an advantage in the first leg?
The first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final brings us a showdown between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. The match will take place on Wednesday, April 8, kicking off at 21:00 CET, and I suggest a betting pick for it.
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid: match facts and head-to-head
- Barcelona have won their last four matches.
- Barcelona are unbeaten in nine consecutive games: eight wins and one draw.
- Barcelona have scored at least one goal in each of their last ten matches.
- Atletico have lost their previous three matches.
- Atletico have scored at least once in each of their last six matches.
- Barcelona have lost just one home game this season.
- Atletico have won only one of their last six away matches.
- Barcelona have scored in both halves in 53% of their matches this season.
- Barcelona have failed to score in just 4% of their matches this season, compared to Atletico’s 11%.
- Barcelona have kept a clean sheet in 33% of their matches this season, while Atletico have done so in 30%.
- In their most recent head-to-head meeting, Barcelona defeated Atletico 2–1.
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid: match preview
Barcelona secured direct qualification to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. They collected 16 points from eight matches, edged out three rivals on tiebreakers, and finished fifth in the table. In the knockout stage, they faced Newcastle, and after a draw in the first leg, the Catalans dismantled the Magpies at home. Barcelona scored seven goals at Camp Nou, thrashing the English side 7–2. Their domestic form has also been excellent: after 30 rounds, they have 76 points and hold a seven-point lead over Real Madrid.
Atletico Madrid suffered a 1–2 defeat to Barcelona just a few days ago, but they sit fourth in the table and are under no real pressure. Los Colchoneros have a 12-point cushion over the fifth-placed team, allowing them to focus on cup competitions. Atletico have already eliminated Barcelona in the Copa del Rey and will play in the final. In the Champions League, they advanced through the earlier knockout round, defeating Club Brugge 7–4 on aggregate, and then edged past Tottenham 7–5 in the quarter-finals.
Barcelona and Atletico have already met four times this season. The Catalans have won three of those encounters, while Atletico have one victory. However, that win was enough to send them into the Copa del Rey final.
Probable line-ups
- Barcelona: J Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martin, Cancelo; E Garcia, Pedri; Yamal, Fermin, Rashford; Lewandowski
- Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri; Koke, Baena; Simeone, Griezmann, Lookman; Alvarez
Prediction
A highly intriguing contest awaits. Barcelona have had the upper hand over Atletico throughout the campaign, but with Champions League stakes so high, Atletico will be fully motivated. This should be a top-class clash, and the recommended bet is that both teams will score.
