Just like last year, the title race in Spain has been a tight one, with just one point separating the top three clubs. Two of those clubs, Barcelona and defending champions Atletico Madrid, are currently deadlocked in second place with 38 points ahead of their very important clash this weekend.
Barca have not been the same all-conquering force like in years past, leaving the door open for Atletico to end their nearly 10 year drought at the Camp Nou. Is this finally Atleti’s chance to get one over on the Catalans? Read on below for our complete preview of this top-of-the-table tilt.
Over in England, there’s a battle between third and fourth as Manchester United host Southampton at Old Trafford on Sunday. Click here for our preview of that big game.
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Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid Betting Preview
Where: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
When: Monday, January 11, 3:00 PM ET
Line: Atletico Madrid +500 at Barcelona -225, tie +295; total 2.5 – view all soccer lines
What’s at Stake
Second place in the table. Both teams are currently at 38 points apiece, so a win would catapult one team three points clear of the other and hot on the heels of leaders Real Madrid.
Betting on Barcelona
All is not well at the Camp Nou, both on and off the field. Off the field, presidential elections are on their way, and are coming on the heels of sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta and former club captain Carles Puyol being relieved of their duties.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]It’s been as chaotic on the pitch, with manager Luis Enrique under increasing pressure after a string of poor performances. His side has dropped five points in the last three league games following a scoreless draw away to Getafe and a shock 1-0 loss at Real Sociedad.
There are also reports of a falling-out between Enrique and club megastar Lionel Messi, with further reports linking the Argentine away from the club during the current transfer window.
Enrique made sweeping changes against Sociedad, removing stalwarts Messi, Gerard Pique, Neymar and Dani Alves from the starting lineup, but they proved unsuccessful. It’s been a season-long trend for Enrique, who has not settled on any particular style of play or lineup all season long.
But despite the club’s current discord, Barca should not be discounted because of the sheer individual quality they possess. They have scored 41 goals in 17 games thus far, second best in La Liga only behind leaders Real Madrid and their defensive record of eight goals is six less than the next best club.
Barca have also been excellent at home, with seven wins and a loss in eight games. They’ve scored 29 goals in those eight games, and have conceded just three.
Betting on Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid have started 2015 with a bang thanks to consecutive home wins. Atleti took care of Levante 3-1 in the league before beating bitter rivals Real Madrid 2-0 in the first leg of their Copa del Rey matchup. Atleti have also showed excellent form away from home. They’re unbeaten in their last four away games (three wins and one tie).
Antoine Griezmann is finally starting to find his best form for Atletico after his big-money move from Real Sociedad in the summer. Griezmann scored a brace in their win against Levante to follow up the hat-trick he delivered to close out 2014.
Griezmann’s individual skill will be a new weapon for manager Diego Simeone to deploy against Barcelona’s stingy defense. His Atletico sides have struggled to break Barca down, netting just four times in the past six meetings in all competitions.
However, Simeone and his aggressive defense have also successfully stifled Barca’s more prolific attack, holding them to three goals. They own the lone win for either team in their last six meetings, which came during the home leg of last season’s Champions League quarterfinal.
Atletico haven’t won at the Nou Camp in just under a decade, but they haven’t lost in their last three visits, either. They also recently re-signed hometown hero Fernando Torres, who scored four of their five goals in consecutive wins over Barca during the mid-2000s. That, coupled with Barca’s current shaky situation, may be the omen of Atletico finally ending their Nou Camp rut.
Writer’s Prediction
Atletico gets that long-awaited win away to Barca. Take Atleti (+500), 1-0. For additional value, take the total to go under 2.5 goals. Create a betting account now and feel el fuego that only La Liga can provide.
