Competition: Copa del Rey 2016-17
Date: Wednesday, 1st February, 20:00 GMT
Stadium: Estadio Vicente Calderón.
Atletico Madrid v Barcelona Betting Tips
Real Madrid’s shock Copa Del Rey defeat to Celta Vigo last week means that the path is now clear for Barcelona to claim a third successive title and it’s no bigger than 8/13 with Skybet that the Catalans lift the trophy. That price is almost entirely dependant on the fact that they are facing Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals, a side that they are 1/2 with the same firm to defeat over two legs and that price is dependant on the result of the first-leg in the Vicente Calderon. Win that and Barcelona will be massive favourites to qualify and to win the tournament, lose it and things could get a little more complicated.
It’s 7/5 with bet365 that the Blaugrana do claim a win on Wednesday and that price will be popular, particularly with Luis Enrique having such a dominant (9-1-1) head-to-head record with Diego Simeone over the last few seasons. The Spaniard seems to hold something of an Indian Sign over the Argentine although Simeone can claim to have won the most important meeting, the second-leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final last season, which prevented Barcelona from claiming a second successive treble.
The treble is still, just about, on for Barcelona this season and it’s vital for Luis Enrique that he maintains that by beating Atletico. The further away that Real Madrid move in La Liga – they are now four points ahead of Barcelona with a game in hand – the more important the Copa Del Rey becomes and the manager is well aware of that fact.
“Obviously for Barcelona or Madrid to triumph then you need the other team to struggle, that’s what happens when things are tight between you,” he said before last weekend’s La Liga matches
“But we can only control our game. I go back to what I said earlier, there’s a long time to go and let’s not overdramatise things. At the end of the season we see how each team has done, who has the most points.”
Unfortunately Barcelona dropped points to Real Betis with a Neymar goal that wasn’t awarded creating most of the headlines. That probably takes the pressure of the defeat off the team’s shoulders and they will feel like they have a point to prove on Wednesday in Madrid. A win would be the perfect response although the defence, which once again looked shaky against Betis, is a worry for Luis Enrique. Atletico will attack in the Vicente Calderon and with Antoine Griezmann, Kevin Gameiro and Yannick Carrisco they have players more than capable of troubling the Barcelona back four.
Atletico may have a poor recent record against the Blaugrana but they have managed to score in each of their last five meetings with the champions. That suggests that they will score again on Wednesday and with Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez also in good form then both teams to score looks to be the bet to be on this Wednesday at a generous price of 4/5.
That will at least keep the tie competitive ahead of the second-leg in the Nou Camp and a 1-1 draw would no doubt be seen as a positive result by both managers. That can be backed at 6/1 with BetVictor.
Atletico Madrid v Barcelona Stats
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have met 21 times since the start of the 2010/11 season.
Barcelona have won 11 with Atletico winning just two of the matches. Eight have been drawn.
Under Luis Enrique Barcelona have won 7 of 9 matches against Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona have failed to beat Atletico Madrid in the last two meetings.
The last meeting between the sides at the Vicente Calderon saw Atletico win 2-0 in last season’s Champions League semi-final second-leg.
