Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona Prediction & Betting Tips - LaLiga

Prediction published on 06/01/2023, 08:27  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 06/01/2023 at 09:28 in LaLiga Predictions

Fourth placed Atletico Madrid host the La Liga leaders Barcelona. They start this game in the final Champions League qualifying position but 11 points adrift of their opponents. Atletico moved into fourth after a 2-0 home win over bottom-of-the-table Elche in their first league game since the La Liga season resumed. They have also had a couple of away wins in the Copa del Rey. The second of those was away at Real Oviedo making it four league and cup wins in a row. That's a big improvement after a run of five games without a win in October and November. Only one point had been earned in three league games before the win over Elche. Home form has seen only Real Madrid beat them in their last five games. The last three home La Liga games have all seen under 2.5 goals scored in them. 

Barcelona were held to a 1-1 home draw by Espanyol as they resumed their La Liga season. They still top the table but second placed Real Madrid are now level on points with them. Barcelona will be without Robert Lewandowski for this game. He's suspended after being sent off against Osasuana in the final game before the World Cup break. Barcelona won at Intercity in the Copa del Rey in midweek but it took extra time to do so. They won 4-3 after the home side equalized on three occasions. A much stronger line-up will be fielded for this game. Barcelona have only conceded six goals in La Liga this season. They're unbeaten in six league fixtures since being beaten at Real Madrid in mid-October. That's the only one of their seven away league fixtures this season that they haven't won. Three of their last four league games have had under 2.5 goals scored in them.