The Matchday 28 clash in La Liga between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona will take place on March 16 at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium. Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Atletico Madrid
The Madrid side suffered their second defeat in the league this calendar year in the last round, both times against opponents from the lower half of the table. Playing away, the club lost 0-1 to Getafe, despite leading during the match and conceding both goals after the 88th minute. Diego Simeone's team has dropped to third place, but they are only one point behind both leaders. Additionally, Atletico remains the best defensive team in La Liga, having conceded just 18 goals.
- In the last 11 matches in La Liga, the Madrid side has conceded more than one goal only once.
- No more than two goals have been scored in 7 of Atletico's last 9 league games.
- The team has achieved 11 second-half victories in their last 14 home matches in La Liga.
Predicted lineup for Atletico Madrid (4-3-3)
Jan Oblak – Nahuel Molina, Jose Maria Gimenez, Javi Galan, Robin Le Normand – Marcos Llorente, Rodrigo De Paul, Samuel Lino – Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez, Giuliano Simeone.
Forward Angel Correa will miss the match due to a 5-match suspension.
Barcelona
The Catalans easily dispatched Real Sociedad in their last match, defeating the San Sebastian side 4-0 at their home ground. This victory allowed them to top the league table. Barcelona missed the last round due to a tragedy within the club, and now Carlo Ancelotti's side has caught up with them in points, although the Madrid side has one more game played. It is also worth noting that Barcelona has significantly outpaced their closest rival in terms of goals scored (by 14 goals).
- The club's winning streak in La Liga stands at six matches.
- Barcelona has opened the scoring in their last eight La Liga matches.
- The Catalans have scored at least two goals in 16 of their last 18 away league games.
Predicted lineup for Barcelona (4-3-3)
Wojciech Szczesny – Jules Kounde, Gerard Martin, Ronald Araujo, Alex Balde – Marc Casado, Pedri, Dani Olmo – Lamine Yamal, Raphinha Dias, Robert Lewandowski.
Referee
Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea (Spain)
Matches – 13 (La Liga, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 47;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.6;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 15%.
Match Prediction: Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona
Both opponents will be coming off tough Champions League Round of 16 matches, which will significantly affect the players' freshness. This will also impact the teams' scoring ability. Additionally, both clubs will be eager not to lose to their nearest competitor in the battle for the top spot in the league, as a defeat would drop them to third place, and Real Madrid would capitalize on their slip.
I predict that this game will have no more than three goals. Such a result has occurred in 18 of the last 20 league meetings between the two teams. Moreover, in 6 of the last 7 encounters at Atletico's ground in La Liga, a maximum of two goals were scored. I am confident that the Madrid side, boasting the best defense in the league, will be able to contain the best attack in La Liga and the Champions League. Additionally, no more than two goals have been scored in Atletico's last six home league games.
My prediction – Total under 3.5 goals
