Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona prediction

Barcelona have a tough test to keep hold of their top spot in the La Liga table as they travel to the Spanish capital to take on Atletico Madrid.The Blaugrana will be further tested as they live for three matches without striker Robert Lewandowski, who was suspended for gestures towards an official and will mi s this match plus the Maury Wills Jersey next two.Barcelona are coming off a wild and nervy 4-3 win in the Copa del Rey over Intercity FC that required extra time to complete. Ansu Fati scored the winning goal in the 103rd minute, sending Barcelona through past a lower-tier side with stars in their eyes.Atletico Madrid are fourth in the table, hoping to solidify a Champions League place as they return to form. Diego Simeone's side have secured four straight wins, although three of those are in the Copa del Rey. Still, a 2-0 victory over Elche in their league return from the World Cup break last weekend is a positive start towards a more consistent showing domestically.Following Real Madrid's 2-1 defeat to Villarreal on Saturday, Barca will also be looking to take advantage of the situation with a win sending them three points clear.MORE: Barcelona are favored in this match, but they still sport plus odds as bookmakers give Atletico Madrid a fighting chance thanks to their recent good form.Part of that will be down to the individual Kenta Maeda Jersey players available for selection. Robert Lewandowski's absence certainly plays a factor, while Atletico sport Antoine Griezmann, one of the best players at the 2022 World Cup and in great form.SkyBetLadbrokesAtletico win+2102.952/12/1Draw+2403.3112/523/10Barcelona win+1252.2713/1013/10Both teamsto score Y / N-145 / +1001.64 / 2.004/6, 11/104/6, 11/10Over / Under2.5 goals-120 / -1151.83 / 1.875/6, 5/65/6, 20/23BAR-0.5+1152.24ATM +0.5-1651.61 Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona team newsThe biggest question for Diego Simeone is how to deploy his three attackers inAntoine Griezmann,Alvaro Morata, and Joao Felix. Rumors continue to swirl about Felix's future at Atleti, and that could affect his standing within the squad. Griezmann was sensational at the World Cup in a deeper role, and he could be used in midfield, allowing the other two to start up top.Mario Hermosois suspended after being sent off in their last La Liga match.One player who won't be involved for Barcelona isRobert Lewandowskiwho is in the midst of a three-match suspension after being sent off in a match before the World Cup break. His ban was put off briefly for appeal, but it was upheld in court, so he is out of action for three games.Memphis Depaycould take that spot up front, having started midweek against Intercity FC, orFerran Torrescould slide over into a striker role. 34-year-oldSergio Busquetscould be sat in favor ofFrenkie de Jongafter he was deployed midweek against Intercity FC.Jordi Albais suspended, meaningAlex Baldeis likely to deputize at left-back.Nico Gonzalezwill mi s time after surgery on a broken foot."I think we need to work on killing off games we need to keep pushing." Ronald Araujo on A. J. Pollock Jersey Bara's extra-time win over Intercity in the last 32 of the Copa del Rey FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) MORE:Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona key statsPrior to a 4-2 win 11 months ago, Barcelonawere winle s in their last five matches against Atletico Madrid acro s all competitions (two lo ses and three draws), with the final four of those all coming in league play.Antoine Griezmann has collected 3.00 xA this La Liga season, but 2.36 of that has come in the last eight matches, with 22 of his 27 chances created coming in that span as well.In the 254 minutes without Robert Lewandowski this season in La Liga play, Barcelona have scored seven goals, a 2.5 goals per 90 rate, as compared to 2.0 goals per 90 with him on the field. They have also not conceded a single goal with Lewandowski off the field this season.Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona match factsDate:Sunday, January 8Kickoff Time:3p.m. ET / 8p.m. GMT / 9a.m. AEDT (Mon, Jan. 9)Location:Wanda MetropolitanoOfficial:Jose Munuera Moneyline lean:Draw (+240)Against the spread lean:Atletico Madrid +0.5 (-165)Score prediction:Atletico Madrid 1-1 BarcelonaBarcelona Clayton Kershaw Jersey weren't exactly poor against Espanyol last time out, but they mi sed a host of quality chances in front of net. They won't get nearly that same volume of opportunities in this match, and without Lewandowski's presence, their goalscoring abilities will be reduced further.Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, are in good form and have achieved results against Barcelona in the recent past. This game could be a prime opportunity for Atleti to snatch points and set themselves up for a real top four run.MORE: Pick:Half with most goals Second HalfOdds:+100 ( )This is one carryover from the 2022 World Cup, where we profited greatly by predicting the bulk of the goalscoring to come after halftime.From an attacking standpoint, Barcelona are a more evenly-weighted team between the first and second halves than most sides, but otherwise, everything points towards a second-half show. Defensively, Barcelona are under far more pre sure in the second half, conceding just 3.86 xGA to start but 7.06 xGA after the break.Atletico Madrid in particular are skewed ma Max Muncy Jersey sively towards the latter 45 minutes, as they put up just 7.4 xG and concede 7.22 xGA before the break, but explode for 12.96 xG and 9.82 xGA after halftime. Most recently, they were scorele s at the break against Elche at home before a pair of second-half goals produced a 2-0 victory.Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona prop betPick:Alvaro Morata anytime goalscorerOdds:The Spanish international has carried over his good World Cup form back with him to Atletico Madrid and is primed for a big second-half run. After scoring three times in Qatar to finish as Spain's top goalscorer, Morata bagged a goal in his La Liga return against Elche last weekend.Even when not scoring, Morata does his best to find the back of the net, ripping off five shots against CD Arenteiro in the Copa del Rey and putting four of them on target. He has at least three shots in each of his last three La Liga appearances, and scored in his last start against Barcelona, bagging Atleti's second in a 3-2 win at the 2020 Supercopa semifinals.Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona flier betPick:Atletico Madrid to win from behindOdds:+1200( )Given the