Barcelona vs Atletico: prediction for the La Liga fixture

Barcelona failed to succeed in the group stage of the Champions League, getting only a 3rd place finish, now the Catalan club is the main favourite of the secondary UEFA club tournament. 

The Blaugrana recorded a victory over Linares (2:1) at the start of Copa del Rey, but then suffered a defeat to Athletic - Bilbao team managed to withstand in regular time and at 106th minute Iker Muniain converted a penalty and brought a ticket to the quarter-final for the Lions. 

Xavi's men have nine victories and eight draws in La Liga, which brought 35 points and a 5th spot in the league standings. In 2022 Barca managed to beat Mallorca (1:0), after that they drew to Granada (1:1) and on January 23 they recorded a victory over Alaves (1:0). 

Wague, Garcia, Depay, Lenglet, Aubameyang, Roberto, Umtiti and Fati won't feature in the match. 

Atletico are also eliminated from the Spanish Cup already - at the start of the tournament capital club recorded an easy victory over Rajo Majadahonda (5:0), but in the next round team suffered a defeat to Real Sociedad (0:2). 

Madrid team also failed to claim the Spanish Super Cup, but they still have a chance in the Champions League, club secured a 2nd place finish in the group stage, so now team will perform in the playoffs. 

The Red-Whites have 10 victories and six draws, which brought them 36 points and a 4th spot in the standings. Team's offensive line is looking great, they scored 36 goals.

In three most recent rounds The Mattresses beat Rayo Vallecano (2:0), drew to Villarreal (2:2) and in the most recent match recorded a narrow home victory over Valencia (3:2). 

Griezmann, Llorente and Wass are unavailable this weekend.