Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the La Liga match.
Barcelona and Atlético Madrid are both at the top of La Liga, separated by a narrow margin. For the Catalans, this game is crucial to regain confidence following their defeat to Leganés (0:1), while the Madrid side will attempt to defeat the hosts for the first time in many years.
Barcelona
Barcelona are currently in a crisis, having secured just one win in five La Liga matches. The team scores 2.78 goals per game but concedes 1.11. This is concerning ahead of such a big match, as the Catalans have consistently made costly defensive errors in seven consecutive games. In their last two matches, they have accumulated 4.93 xG but only scored once, highlighting their dreadful finishing. Furthermore, the absence of Lamine Yamal, a key player in attack, has impacted their effectiveness. Without him, Barcelona have failed to win in three outings.
Atlético Madrid
Atlético Madrid are in excellent form, having won 11 of 17 games, with just one loss in La Liga. They concede only 0.65 goals per match—the best defensive record in the league. They have won six consecutive matches and have found the net in 16 out of 17 games. In their last six matches, Atlético Madrid have averaged 2.5 goals per game. Norwegian forward Alexander Sørloth appears to be hitting his stride, scoring four times.
Barcelona vs Atlético Madrid Prediction
The match promises to be intense. Barcelona are vulnerable at the back, and the absence of Lamine Yamal will impact their attacking play. Meanwhile, Atlético Madrid are well-organised and capable of exploiting their opponent's weaknesses. Therefore, we're backing Atlético not to lose.
