Barcelona – Atletico Madrid Predictions (7.02.2017)
Barcelona receives Atletico Madrid on Tuesday with the illusion of getting into the final of the Copa del Rey for the fourth consecutive season. In the semi-finals, the Catalans were imposed on the Vicente Calderón (1-2).
On Saturday, those led by Luis Enrique defeated Athletic Club (3-0) in their own home and thus remained the only escorts of Real Madrid, sole leader of LaLiga Santander. Although the difference is only one point, the white set owes two commitments.
Now, Barca will look to focus on the King's Cup, a competition in which he is a two-time champion. Recall that it started its way by eliminating Hercules (1-1 visiting and 7-0 at home), then did the same against Athletic Bilbao (2-1 under visit and 3-1 at Camp Nou) and in quarters Final dispatched with authority to the Real Society, winning both duels: 0-1 in Anoeta and 5-2 like local.
Four wins and a draw for the last five appearances of this Barcelona that is clear favorites to reach the 39th final in the history of the Copa del Rey (28 titles).
Facing this game, Luis Enrique will not have Rafinha or Neymar (suspended), while Andrés Iniesta and Sergio Busquets are in doubt for various injuries.
On the other side, Atletico Madrid comes from surpassing in local conditions to Leganés (2-0), result with which cut a streak of two draws in a row in LaLiga. It was fourth in the table, to 7 units of Real Madrid.
In the Copa del Rey, the team that leads the Argentine Diego Simeone comes after leaving on the way to Eibar: 3-0 at home and 2-2 in Ipurúa. Previously, he had knocked out Las Palmas in the last 16 (0-2 visitor win and 2-3 away home) and modest CD Guijuelo by a 10-1 aggregate.
For this match, the "Cholo" can not count on Gabi (sanctioned) or with Tiago, Augusto, Oblak and Giménez (injured).
The closest record highlights that Atletico Madrid only beat Barcelona in 1 of the last 11 matches (and 2 of the 22 most recent). Also, the 10 closest clashes at the Camp Nou show a balance of 6 festivities for Barça and 4 draws (three 1-1). In fact, the Aleti has not won there for a decade. In 7 of those 10 matches there were goals from both and towards there this forecast points, especially considering that the Colchoneros will leave with the need and urgencies: they must score twice to begin to dream of the feat.
