La Liga: Atletico Will Test Barcelona’s Title Credentials 

Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona

Atletico Madrid could do their city rivals, Real, a big favour this weekend when they meet league leaders Barcelona at the Civitas Metropolitano Stadium. 

Diego Simeone and Xavi are two of the biggest characters in La Liga and they will both be barking out orders from the touchlines when Atletico host Barcelona on Sunday night.

Los Rojiblancos could climb to within eight points of the top with a victory, but the big winners would be Real Madrid who are breathing down the necks of the Catalans.  

Atletico come into the game on the back of a home league win over Elche while Barcelona drew at home to Espanyol before both teams successfully navigated the Copa del Rey Round of 32.    

The very latest La Liga 2023 betting odds back the Blaugrana at 1.60 to win the title with Real Madrid hot on their heels at 2.00. The margin is too close for Barca to drop points on Sunday night, but Xavi knows it will be a big challenge for his players.   

Talking Points

Can Simeone get one last tune from Felix?

When Joao Felix signed for Atletico Madrid in 2019, he came with a huge price tag on his shoulders but with a love of the game which had made him a superstar so quickly at Benfica.

On signing for Los Rojiblancos the Portugal star said: “The ball, she is precious. She is a gift. A gift to me, a gift to you. As I grew as a man I realised that’s what I loved – to have the ball, and to play wonderful, happy football. That’s when I am at my best.”

So a move to join the arch pragmatist Simeone and his 1-0 specialists may not have been the perfect move from this young artisan. He has only just turned 23 and has years to fulfill his undoubted potential, but it is looking increasingly unlikely that it will be in Madrid.

Manchester United are reported to have made a £3.5-M loan offer for the star and it is quite possible that the game against Barcelona could be his last in the red and white of Atleti.

Even though he has not been prolific in Madrid, Felix has the ability to affect games and, with three goals and three assists this season, he links well with striker Alvaro Morata and Atleti’s main man Antoine Griezmann.

The French star had a brilliant World Cup and he is happy back at Atletico after a fruitless run at Barcelona and, if Felix can support Griezmann in attack, then this could be a happy swansong.               

Barca looking to regain momentum

After a brilliant first half of the campaign, a draw in the Catalan derby was not exactly how Xavi wanted to end 2022 and he’ll be determined to see his team’s La Liga 2023 results kick off with a win if at all possible.

His team sits at the top of the Spanish table on goal difference alone and they could well start this game three points adrift of Real Madrid if their Clasico rivals win away to Villarreal on Saturday.  

Robert Lewandowski has the x-factor of course. And with 13 goals, he is in good shape to win yet another Golden Boot, while Ousmane Dembele – with four goals and four assists – is having his best season in a while.

Xavi has the players to see this quest through and he is happy to rely on his young stars Pedri, Gavi, and Ansu Fati – who was on target in Barcelona’s Copa del Rey win over Intercity in midweek.

The 20-year-old Spain international was unlucky with injuries last term but he is back to full fitness and raring to go against Los Rojiblancos, saying: “We have no doubts, we are still leaders in the league and we have an opportunity to continue being so, in the dressing room we are convinced of what we are doing.”

“We know it will be difficult. It is a difficult stadium, but we are convinced we can go out and win,” he added.

History

Barcelona have had a good run against Atleti, winning 32 of the 67 meetings between these two giants over the past three decades, while Los Rojiblancos have won 18 of the encounters and there have been 17 draws.

Last season, Atleti won this fixture 2-0 before losing the return at the Camp Nou 4-2.

Both teams have won five of the last six games with Barca drawing the other, while Atleti lost to Mallorca in their final game before the World Cup.

Betting Tip

Barcelona are favourites to win this huge clash at SBOTOP odds of 2.27, with the draw at 3.11 and Los Rojiblancos priced at 2.96.

Barca have won six and lost one away from home this season and, while they have not been at their best since the return, I’m backing the Blaugrana to win this one.  

 

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