Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid odds, picks and predictions
Barcelona (9 wins, 4 losses, 1 draw) welcomes Atletico Madrid (10-1-2) to Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys Sunday. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET. Below, we preview BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid odds, and make our best soccer bets, picks and predictions.
Atletico is perfect at home (7-0-0) and 3-1-2 on the road this season. They have scored 30 goals (2.31 per game) and allowed 12 (0.92 per game) through 13 La Liga matches. They are led by F Antoine Griezmann, who has 9 goals in 13 matches. Atletico has a key 3-1 win over Real Madrid at home earlier in the season and beat Mallorca 1-0 in their last game at home Nov 25.
Barcelona is 6-0-1 at home and 3-4-0 on the road this season. Barcelona sits 4th in La Liga and is averaging 1.93 goals per game (27 scored) and allowing 1.0 per game (14 conceded). They are led in scoring by F Robert Lewandowski with 7 goals in 12 matches. Barcelona drew Rayo Vallecano 1-1 on the road Nov. 25.
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Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid odds
BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 11:16 p.m. ET.
Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid picks and predictions
Prediction
Barcelona 1, Atletico Madrid 0
BET BARCELONA (+100).
Simply put, both teams have been dominant at home and have been not as lethal on the road. So, take the home side to win outright here. Barcelona beat Atletico in both situations last season with many of the same key players.
Atletico beat Real Madrid at home but doesn't have a signature road win this season and is just 1-1-1 over their last 3 on the road. Barcelona has won 9 of 10 at home throughout all competitions. Expect it to continue to surge in front of its fans.
Take BARCELONA (+100).
BET UNDER 2.5 (+100).
Barcelona has a strong defense and has held its opponent to 1.0 or fewer expected goals in 7 of its last 10 matches. It hasn't had more than 2.0 expected goals in a game since Oct. 25 which was a Champions League battle with Shakhtar.
Atletico failed to score on Barcelona through either league match last season and has allowed over 1.5 expected goals just once in all competitions this season. Expect a high-level, low-scoring battle. Take UNDER 2.5 (+100) and you might consider the alternate Under 1.5 (+280) for a shot a nearly tripling up.
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