Unlike Atleti, Barcelona have dropped vital points since the return in an unforgiving title race. We preview a match that could have serious implications in the La Liga title race.
Event details
Who is playing?
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid
What competition is it?
La Liga Santander Matchweek 33
What time is Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid?
21:00 GMT, Tuesday 30th June 2020
Where does Barcelona play?
Camp Nou Stadium, Barcelona, Spain
Where can I watch Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid?
La Liga TV
Thoughts on Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid
The pendulum of the title race has swung in favour of Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid after Barca’s disappointing away form. They have only been able to pick up two points from an available six on the road, while Los Blancos have won all five available matches since the return of La Liga, with Real only been crowned champions once in the last seven seasons.
Atletico Madrid’s pursuit of a second La Liga title under Diego Simeone were set aside early in the season. The other team in the capital are on a fiery streak of form that will present a stubborn challenge to Quique Setien’s outfit. Atleti have bounced back up to third from sixth in pursuit of Champions League football next season and are unbeaten in their last 12 games in all competitions.
A loss for Barcelona tonight would leave them two points adrift and a game in hand for the current pacesetters in the capital, whereas a win for Atletico would all but secure European football at the Vicente Calderon for Simeone and co. This a genuine crunch match as the La Liga season enters the home straight.
Barca’s time is now
If they don’t pick up maximum points, Barcelona’s hopes of a league three-peat could be in tatters upon the completion of the final whistle, and they will only have themselves to blame. Frustrating stalemates at Sevilla and Celta Vigo saw Setien’s team squander a lead two times in the latter encounter. One thing is for sure, the convincing title wins of ten points plus in previous seasons will be far from reality this time around in what is the closest contested race in years.
Lionel Messi’s 700 career goal haul looms large over this fixture, with the talismanic Argentine one goal off the incredible feat going into the fixture at the Camp Nou. The captain has scored in every one of his last three games against Atletico, and you would be hard pressed not to back him given the importance of the game, personally and for the club.
The return of Sergio Busquets and Sergi Roberto, who make their returns from suspension and a rib injury respectively will bolster Barca. Ousmane Dembele and Frenkie de Jong will miss out with their own muscle injuries.
Stern test in Atletico
Atletico Madrid bowed out from the La Liga title chase early after only picking up six wins in their first 16 league outings at the beginning of the season. A revival has occurred with their last defeat coming against city rivals Real Madrid on February 1st, remaining unbeaten in 12 games since then.
Los Rojiblancos come off the back of four straight wins, and in true defensive Simeone fashion have failed to score more than twice in all but one occasion since the return from lockdown. Past encounters between the sides have seen six of the last seven league games offer under 2.5 goals, with the seventh under 3.5.
Defenders Mario Hermoso and Sime Vrsaljko are sidelined with injury prior to the game, along with Stefan Savic and Koke both being suspended.
Head-to-Head
Form
Barcelona recent matches:
- Celta Vigo (a) 2-2 draw
- Athletic Bilbao (h) 1-0 win
- Sevilla (a) 0-0 draw
- Leganes (h) 2-0 win
- Real Mallorca (a) 0-4 win
Atletico Madrid recent matches:
- Alaves (h) 2-1 win
- Levante (a) 0-1 win
- Real Vallodolid (h) 1-0 win
- Osasuna (a) 0-5 win
- Athletic Bilbao (a) 1-1 draw
Top Contributors
Barcelona top scorers:
- Lionel Messi (Forward) – 21 La Liga goals and 17 La Liga assists (Messi has scored twice and assisted five goals since the restart)
- Luis Suarez (Forward) – 13 La Liga goals and 8 La Liga assists (Suarez has scored twice and assisted once since the restart)
Atletico Madrid top scorers:
- Alvaro Morata (Forward) – 9 La Liga goals and 1 assist (Morata has one goal since the restart)
- Joao Felix (Forward) – 6 goals and 1 La Liga assist (Felix has scored twice since the restart)
Previous Meetings
| 9th January 2020 | BAR 2-3 ATM | Super Cup | ||
| 1st December 2019 | ATM 0-1 BAR | La Liga | ||
| 6th April 2019 | BAR 2-0 ATM | La Liga |
Ryan’s Betting Tips
*Odds as of the time of writing (Tuesday 30th June) and subject to change.
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Ryan is Multimedia Sports Journalism undergraduate with previous experience of reporting on non-league football and his local gaelic football clubs. Ryan is a fan of football, rugby union, and gaelic football.
