Barcelona vs Atl. Madrid prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-12-20 20:00.
[p]After losing 1-0 at home to LeganĂ©s last weekend, Barcelona have earned just five of a possible 18 points across their last six La Liga matches (W1, D2, L3). Consequently, their lead at the top of the standings was cut to goal difference by the team they face next, second-placed AtlĂ©tico Madrid. This is a fixture the Catalans have recently dominated with five consecutive league H2H wins, and they could subsequently make it six such victories for the first time since Sept 2010-May 2013, but will have to do without head coach Hansi Flickâs presence as he serves the second game of his red card suspension.[/p]
[p]Recent form at their temporary home of Estadi OlĂmpic LluĂs Companys hasnât been great with consecutive defeats pegging them back after they started the season with eight home wins in all competitions. Things could change here though as Barça are unbeaten across 18 home top-flight H2Hs (W13, D5) dating back to February 2006.[/p]
[p]AtlĂ©tico head coach Diego Simeone will be desperate to snap that streak knowing a win will take his side top, but Simeone has never won an away league H2H, while losing a personal-high 20 of 36 H2Hs overall! The Argentine tactician comes to town with perhaps his best chance to erase that hurt, as his side have notched up 11 consecutive wins in all competitions, including six in the league. Four of those were accompanied by a clean sheet, raising hopes of the leagueâs joint-best defence holding its own against the leagueâs runaway scoring leaders.[/p]
[p]The Rojiblancos won their last two away league games âto nilâ but are susceptible on the road after winning only half of their eight top-flight trips (D3, L1) this season. They conceded first in three of those four they failed to win and avoiding that fate could be key to halting the clubâs long-standing drought in away H2Hs.[/p]
[p]Key battle: Robert Lewandowski had a hand in all three goals (G1, A2) when these sides last met. Jan Oblak was in the AtlĂ©tico goal that day and has conceded ten goals in five league H2Hs, which could dent his chances of lifting the Zamora Trophy this season. Heâs currently tied for second ahead of this round with an average of 0.69 goals conceded per game.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Only one of the last eight La Liga H2Hs saw both teams score.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Sridhar B[/i][/p]