Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid
La Liga
Sunday
3rd December 2023
Estadio Olimpico de Montjuic
The most comprehensive preview, detailed analysis and reliable predictions of the La Liga fixture between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid: Preview
Barcelona form analysis
Barcelona’s domestic form has improved after a slow start. They began this run with a narrow 1-0 home win over Athletic Bilbao on October 23rd secured through Marc Cucurella’s second half strike. However, Barcelona then suffered late heartbreak in a pivotal 2-1 Clásico defeat against rivals Real Madrid, as two late Jude Bellingham goals cancelled out Ilkay Gündogan’s opener.
This sparked an immediate reaction though as Xavi’s side ground out three straight league wins. Firstly, a hard fought 1-0 victory away at high-flying Real Sociedad on November 5th. Thanks to Robin Araújo’s last gasp goal. This was followed by another resilient display as Barcelona came from behind to beat Alavés 2-1 on November 12th with Robert Lewandowski netting twice. Most recently Barça left it late again but preserved their unbeaten run with a 1-1 draw away at Rayo Vallecano, benefiting from Florian Lejeune’s late own goal after initially going behind.
Atletico Madrid form analysis
Atletico Madrid’s domestic form has been inconsistent recently under Diego Simeone. They started this run positively on October 22nd. With Antoine Griezmann netting a perfect hat-trick in a 3-0 away win against struggling Celta Vigo. This momentum stalled though as consecutive defeats promptly followed – despite twice leading in a 2-1 home loss to Alavés, before a shock 2-1 defeat away at relegation battlers Las Palmas.
However, Atletico swiftly returned to winning ways on November 13th thanks to goals from Axel Witsel, Griezmann and Samuel Lino to comfortably dispatch Villarreal 3-1. Hopes of sustaining this uptick were initially frustrated after a goalless first half against Mallorca on November 26th. But Atleti dug deep and eventually ground out a vital 1-0 home win against the islanders, with Griezmann again decisive by netting the winner midway through the second period.
