The first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid will take place on February 25 at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium. Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Barcelona
Hans Flick's team easily and confidently passed all three rounds of the Copa del Rey. They started with a convincing victory over Barbastro (4-0), then thrashed two La Liga representatives, Betis (5-1) and Valencia (5-0). Notably, in the last match against Valencia, the Catalans scored four goals by halftime. If the club overcomes Madrid, they will play in the Copa del Rey final for the first time since 2021.
- The Catalans have not lost in regular time in this tournament for six matches (5 wins and 1 draw).
- At least four goals have been scored in Barcelona's last seven Copa del Rey games.
- The team has scored two or more goals in 90 minutes in their last six Copa del Rey matches.
Predicted lineup for Barcelona (4-3-3)
Wojciech Szczesny – Eric Garcia, Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Alex Balde – Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Fermin Lopez – Lamine Yamal, Raphinha Dias, Ferran Torres.
Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen and midfielder Marc Bernal are out due to injuries.
Atletico Madrid
The club has played four rounds in this season's Copa del Rey. The team won all these matches without resorting to extra time. Only in the last stage did Diego Simeone's side face a La Liga team, managing to defeat Getafe (5-0). The last time the club reached the tournament final was in 2013 when they won their 10th Copa del Rey trophy.
- The capital club is on a 5-match winning streak in regular time in the Copa del Rey.
- At least one team has failed to score in 90 minutes in 7 of Atletico's last 8 games in this tournament.
- Madrid has scored two or more goals in regular time in 8 of their last 11 away Copa del Rey matches.
Predicted lineup for Atletico Madrid (4-4-2)
Juan Musso – Jose Maria Gimenez, Javi Galan, Nahuel Molina, Robin Le Normand – Koke, Rodrigo De Paul, Giuliano Simeone, Samuel Lino – Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez.
Referee
Alejandro Jose Hernandez Hernandez (Spain)
Matches – 13 (La Liga and Copa del Rey, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 69;
Average yellow cards per match – 5.3;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 27;
Penalties – 23%.
Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid: Match Prediction
Both teams are in excellent form. They are competing for the La Liga title, have advanced to the Champions League Round of 16, and have a chance to win the Copa del Rey. In the first round of the championship, Madrid managed to defeat the Catalans, doing so at their stadium (2-1). It's also worth noting that in the current La Liga season, Barcelona has suffered five defeats, while Atletico has only lost twice.
Clashes between these clubs rarely end in a decisive victory for one side. Surely, this time it will either be a draw, or one club will win by a narrow margin. I slightly favor the visitors in the first semi-final encounter. In the last 12 meetings in La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup, Atletico has only lost by more than one goal twice. Therefore, my prediction: Atletico Madrid with a handicap (+1)
