Atl. Madrid vs Barcelona Prediction & Betting Tips (12 February)

Atlético Madrid is aiming for a first major trophy since 2021 and its La Liga coronation with the epic Luis Suarez. More than ever dropped out of the La Liga title race with 13 points behind Barça and a difficult journey awaiting them in the Champions League with the play-offs to play, Atlético Madrid must above all prioritize this Copa del Rey where they are 3 games away from happiness. In the 1/4 final, Diego Simeone's team easily beat Bétis via a 0-5 victory, which was a week ago. A few days later, the Madrilenians found their way to Bétis, this time at home and in La Liga, and they lost by the smallest of margins 0-1. In the 1/8th final of the Copa del Rey, the Colchoneros barely beat La Corogne with a sumptuous free kick from Antoine Griezmann, winning 0-1. At home, Atlético Madrid had managed to remain undefeated since April's defeat against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey but have just lost twice in two matches. Against Bétis therefore, and Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League 1-2.  Barcelona are looking to repeat the previous season by winning all domestic competitions.

The Super Cup already in the bag, Barça is aiming for back-to-back in the Copa del Rey and La Liga. Last year, at the same stage of the competition, the Blaugrana already challenged Atlético Madrid in the semi-final. In the 1/4 final, Hansi Flick's men defeated Real Madrid, Albacete 1-2. In the 1/8th final, it was Racing Santander who were beaten by Barcelona, ​​winning 0-2. In the league, since its defeat at the end of October at the Bernabéu, the Catalan team has won 11 of its 12 matches including 3 in a row to date, against Mallorca in style last weekend 3-0, on the pitch at Elche 1-3 and against Real Oviedo 3-0. The Culers have won their last 6 matches in all competitions. 

Diego Simeone could be forced to play without midfielders Pablo Barrios, J. Cardoso and winger Nico Gonzalez, all three injured. On the other hand, the French Clément Lenglet and Antoine Griezmann (4 goals in 3 Coupe du Roi matches this season) will be at the Cholo's disposal. This is also the case of the injury returner A.Sörloth (7 goals in La Liga), the recruits Lookman (Atalanta), scorer against Bétis in the 1/4 final, R.Mendoza (Elche) and Obed Vargas (Mexican international, 20 years old).

  For its part, Barcelona is preparing for this meeting without midfielders Pedri and Gavi, Danish defender Andreas Christensen and winger Raphinha (8 goals, 3 assists in La Liga), all injured. Lamine Yamal is clearly on another planet at the moment having been decisive in each of his last 7 matches in all competitions (6 goals, 2 assists). In total, Barça's number 10 has scored 15 goals and 13 assists in all competitions, including 10 goals and 8 goals in the league alone. Robert Lewandowski (10 goals in La Liga), Ferran Torres (12 goals in La Liga) without forgetting the creator Dani Olmo (6 goals, 6 assists in La Liga) will be on deck today at Civitas Metropolitano.