Fiery affair ahead at the Wanda Metropolitano

Champions Barcelona travel to the stunning Wanda Metropolitano to face off with third placed Atletico Madrid in a busy week for both sides in juggling European football. Diego Simeone’s men will have an extra day to recover from their difficult Champions League trip to Turin than Barca will from welcoming Borussia Dortmund to the Camp Nou. The hosts’ form has slowed up of late with them becoming more and more reliant on Alvaro Morata at the attacking end of the pitch. Both teams can seal progression to the knockout stages in midweek before changing their mindset to this showdown.

Recent form

The Catalansare three points ahead of the Mattress Makers having played one game less, so a victory here would put the title race significantly out of Atletico’s reach. Ernesto Valverde’s side are level on points at the top with Real Madrid however remain clear favourites to retain the crown for a third successive season. The hosts have only won once in their last five outings putting extra pressure on young shoulders this week coming up against the established champions of Italy and Spain.

Ones to Watch

Despite missing the start of the season through injury, Lionel Messi has recovered to rise to second in the scoring charts by bagging eight goals in as many La Liga outings. The Argentinian was on a run of nine goals in seven games before the international and will keen to kick on towards the new year with the Ballon D’Or hype surrounding him as it seems to every year for the five-time winner.

Spain international forward Alvaro Morata has been in excellent form of late, seemingly finding his feet since his tricky spell in the Premier League with Chelsea. A coveted CV with Juventus and Real Madrid to add to his employers by the age of 27, Morata scored in six consecutive matches leading into the break where he led the line in both of Spain’s remaining Euro 2020 qualifiers. A big game player who played a huge role in Juventus’ run to the Champions League final in 2015 has come of age this season and will push back the Barca backline throughout Sunday evening.

Head-to-head record

The previous two identical meetings have ended 1-1 with an equaliser coming beyond the 80^th minute for Barcelona on each of those occasions. Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembele salvaging a point in chronological order.

It is a big week for young backup full-backs Moussa Wague and Junior Firpo who have had to step up due to injuries to Nelson Semedo, Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba, Simeone may try to pinpoint them in a huge match for both sides.

Atletico Madrid – Barcelona Betting Tip

Both Teams to Score with William Hill at odds of 4/5.

Bet Both Teams to Score on William Hill