Barca Atletico Madrid Betting Odds – Barca injuries will factor
Soccer odds – Pick Draw +300
Online betting players will be treated to an exciting game on Sunday in Spain, when leaders Barcelona head to Atletico Madrid for what is usually a back-and-forth match between two clubs that love to go forward. This should be another one of those matches as Barca has some injuries at the back, and well, Atletico is just awful defensively. This is a recipe for a wide-open draw.
Barca vs Atletico Madrid Betting Odds: Barca -129; Atletico +460; Draw +300
- What: Soccer betting
- When: Sunday, February 14, 3:00 PM ET
- Where: Estadio Vicente Calderon, Madrid, Spain
Key Stat: Atletico has won three and lost one of their last four home games against Barca
The Storyline: Barca vs Atletico Madrid Betting Odds
First-place Barcelona defeated Getafe 2-1 at home last week, and they’ve yet to lose in La Liga action this season with a five-point lead over Real Madrid. Atletico drew 1-1 at Racing Santander, and they’re looking to start a second-half run as they’re currently 12th. Barca has had some problems in the Vicente Calderon in recent years, so this isn’t as easy a match as you might think.
Offensive Matchups: Barca vs Atletico Madrid Betting Odds
Lionel Messi has been picking up the slack for a slumping Zlatan Ibrahimovich, and he scored a goal and set up Xavi in the win over Getafe. When it comes to attractive soccer, no one in the world does it like Barca, and it also helps to have two of the slickest midfielders in Europe, Andres Iniesta and Xavi, running the show.
Diego Forlan has been in a rich vein of form for Atletico, scoring four goals in his last four matches overall. Sergio Aguero has slowed down after a hot start, but when these two get going, they can rival any strike pair in Spain. The problem is a lack of supply from midfield, and Mazi Rodriguez was shipped to Liverpool after disappointing at Atletico.
Betting Edge: Barca
Defensive Matchups: Barca vs Atletico Madrid Betting Odds
The Barca defense did well against Getafe, even after they were relegated to nine men. Carlos Puyol was suspended for the match, while Dani Alves was injured in warm-up. Gerard Pique and Rafael Marquez were both sent off, meaning Barca has to watch their tackles in this game, especially with the injury crisis at the back. At least Gabriel Milito is back from his knee injury.
Atletico has given up the fifth-most goals in La Liga, but they are better at home. David De Gea is getting some work in between the pipes, but he’s still 19 years old. Sergio Asenjo has been relegated to the bench, but again, he’s only 20 years old. The defense is shaky at best, and they’re far too young in goal.
Betting Edge: Barca
Notable Injuries: Barca vs Atletico Madrid Betting Odds
Barca will be missing virtually their entire first-choice back line, as Eric Abidal (undisclosed), Pique (suspension), Marquez (suspension) and Alves (calf) are out, along with Yaya Toure (leg), a midfielder who covered in defense. Jose Antonio Reyes (knee) and Pablo Ibanez (nose) will miss this match, but Atletico is pretty healthy.
Betting Edge: Atletico
Totals: Barca vs Atletico Madrid Betting Odds
Eight of the last 10 meetings between these two have gone over the posted total in your sportsbook, and this also looks likely to be free-scoring as Atletico is terrible at the back, and Barca has too many injuries.
Pick: Over 2.5
Betting Prediction: Barca vs Atletico Madrid Betting Odds
Atletico has won five and drawn one of their last 10 meetings with Barca, including three wins in four at the Vicente Calderon. This should be a wide-open game, and Forlan and Aguero should be able to attack the ailing Barca back line. But of course, it’s Barca, and they have more than enough weapons to keep up with Atletico.
Todd’s Pick: Draw +300
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