On Sunday night, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona clash at the Civitas Metropolitano in a massive game at the top of La Liga.
Atletico make the Champions League last-eightDiego Simeone’s team reached the Champions League quarter-finals with a penalty shootout win over Italian giants Inter after a 2-2 aggregate draw.
However, Los Colchoneros lost 2-0 at Cadiz in their last match in La Liga. The loss ended the home team’s three-game unbeaten run in the Spanish top flight.
Atletico are now looking over their shoulders nervously at fifth-place Athletic in the race for the Champions League spots, who are just two points behind the club from the Spanish capital.
The game ended a run of high-scoring games for Atletico in La Liga, as their previous three games in the Spanish top flight had all produced over 2.5 goals.
The men from Madrid have a formidable recent home record in La Liga. They are unbeaten in 25 games at the Metropolitano, having recorded 23 wins and two draws.
Barcelona extended their unbeaten run against MallorcaThe Blaugrana extended their recent unbeaten run in the Spanish top-flight to seven games. A 1-0 home win against Real Mallorca last time out was the fifth win in their seven-game unbeaten run.
The recent decent run of form has moved Barcelona to within a point of second-place Girona in the standings.
Xavi’s team has been strong defensively of late in the Spanish top-flight, keeping three straight clean sheets.
The Catalan giants have been strong on their travels of late in La Liga. They are unbeaten in 14 away games in the Spanish top-flight, including four wins in the last five matches on the road.
The visitors have also been prolific in La Liga on their travels, having scored at least two goals in their recent away matches.
What am I backing?This game could be a fascinating encounter between two of the best teams in Spain. I can see this game being relatively even, so the bet I am backing is the draw.
