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Barcelona face a mountain to climb on Tuesday night as they arrive at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano needing to overturn a two-goal deficit against a resilient Atletico Madrid.
After a clinical 2-0 victory for Atleti at the Spotify Camp Nou, the Blaugrana find themselves on the brink of another European heartbreak.
For Diego Simeone’s men, the mission is clear: protect the lead and secure a place in the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in nine years.
Read our Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona prediction, preview and betting tips. You can also check out our Today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Contents
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona key stats
- Atletico Madrid won six of their last seven home games across all competitions.
- Barcelona won five of their last six trips to this stadium.
- Atletico Madrid drew first blood in four of the last five H2Hs.
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona preview: A Blaugrana comeback on the cards?
| Atletico Madrid | vs | Barcelona |
|---|---|---|
| 4th (La Liga) | Position | 1st (La Liga) |
| 57 | Points | 79 |
| 51 | Goals For | 84 |
| 32 | Goals Against | 30 |
| 12 | Clean Sheets | 12 |
| 3rd | Home Rank | 1st |
| 7th | Away Rank | 1st |
Atletico Madrid head into this clash having endured a bruising run, losing four of their last five matches across all competitions, including a domestic slip-up against Sevilla just days ago.
Despite this dip in form, Simeone’s men are brimming with confidence; that clinical two-goal advantage from the first leg provides a vital safety net as they look to reach the final four.
Having rested several key players in their 2-1 defeat at Sevilla on Saturday, Atletico Madrid head into this contest with fresh legs.
Barcelona have not kept a clean sheet in the UEFA Champions League this season.
Coach Simeone will also be pleased with the return of first-choice goalkeeper Jan Oblak and defender Jonny Cardoso to team training ahead of this clash.
However, David Hancko (ankle), Jose Gimenez (body discomfort), and Pablo Barrios (thigh) are not expected to be back in time for this game, while Marc Pubill is suspended.
Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann are both expected to start up front, while Giuliano Simeone and Ademola Lookman feature from the wide areas. Although Oblak is back, Juan Musso should retain his place between the sticks.
On the other hand, Barcelona come into this fixture buoyed by a comfortable 4-1 victory over local rivals Espanyol in the Catalan derby over the weekend. While Hansi Flick's troops have been imperious with nine wins in their last 11 outings, that dominant run is haunted by a singular blemish: the first-leg defeat to Atletico Madrid, which remains their only loss in that stretch.
While Barcelona have a storied history of European "remontadas," they are facing a historic psychological barrier tonight, having never successfully overturned a two-goal deficit in a UEFA tie while playing the second leg away from home. Conversely, Atletico Madrid will be desperate to avoid a repeat of their 2019 collapse against Juventus, which marks the last time Los Colchoneros surrendered a two-goal cushion in continental competition.
Only one team has scored more penalties than Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League this season.
On the injury front for Barcelona, Raphinha remains out due to a hamstring problem, while experienced defender Andreas Christensen is ruled out for the remainder of the season because of a cruciate ligament injury.
Marc Bernal and Gerard Martin will be assessed before this game, as both players need a final assessment to confirm their availability. However, Pau Cubarsi is suspended after being sent off in the first leg for bringing down Giuliano Simeone.
Lamine Yamal will look to provide inspiration for the Blaugrana on Tuesday night alongside Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford in the final third, while Pedri Gonzalez and Eric Garcia form a double pivot in midfield as the visitors seek to overcome a 2-0 deficit.
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona form guide & betting tips
| Atletico Madrid | vs | Barcelona |
|---|---|---|
| L-L-L-W-L | Form | W-W-W-L-W |
| 8 | Goals For | 14 |
| 10 | Goals Against | 6 |
| D-W-W-L-W | Champions League form | W-W-D-W-L |
Whispers Predicts: Atletico Madrid 1-2 Barcelona
At 1.87, Barcelona are considered favourites by the bookies ahead of this encounter.
Interestingly, the Blaugrana have five wins in their last six trips to this stadium, including a 2-1 victory here just over a week ago.
Given that Atletico Madrid have lost four of their last five games, while Barcelona have nine wins in their last 11 matches, we believe the Catalan giants will secure the victory, but it won't be enough to advance.
Both teams were on the scoresheet in four of Atletico Madrid's last five fixtures and in five of Barcelona's last seven outings, so Barcelona & BTTS - Yes can be backed at 2.70.
> BTTS - Yes at 1.40 | Likelihood: Probable
> Under 3.5 goals at 1.94 | Likelihood: Probable
> Match result - Barcelona at 1.87 | Likelihood: Probable
> Barcelona & BTTS - Yes at 2.70 | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score: 1-2 at 9.20 | Likelihood: Outsider