La Liga: Renewed Impetus Could Make This a Cracker

Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid

Fifth versus fourth, one point between them, and the reigning cup holders against the defending league champions – there’s no doubting what’s the biggest match in La Liga this weekend.

The fact both teams have struggled so far this term – out of the title race, out of the Copa del Rey and, in Barca’s case, out of the Champions League – cannot be ignored.

However, both could have a revived second half of the campaign with new faces potentially bringing renewed impetus.

Talking Points

Atletico’s impetus may have been triggered even if they had not entered the transfer market to buy Daniel Wass and Reinildo Mandava in the past few weeks.

Los Rojiblancos made moves knowing the contracts for both players were due to run out at the end of the season.

The Mozambique international, who made 35 appearances last season as Lille surprisingly won Ligue 1, has signed a three-year deal until 2025.

The left-back has 31 caps and will be a tidy recruit for Diego Simeone’s men, as will be Wass from Valencia, who were the opponents when Atletico staged a remarkable last-gasp turnaround – and some of the most exciting La Liga 2022 highlights of the season – when they fought back from 2-0 down to win.

It will surely be too late for a title tilt after all since Atletico are fourth this season and 14 points adrift of their city rivals and leaders Real.

But the confidence from that success, coupled with some new faces, may well give them some initiative as they look to cement a top four spot and progress in the Champions League with Manchester United awaiting in the last 16.

Barcelona have been boosted because for all their financial woes, they have managed to bring in some exciting talents during the window such as Ferran Torres (Manchester City, £46.3 million), Fabio Blanco (Eintracht Frankfurt, £840,000), Adama Traore (Wolves, loan), and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal, free).

And it is the latter move which has got everyone talking.

There was always likely to be a radical squad overhaul after the club crashed out of the Champions League group stage and were subsequently eliminated from both the Spanish Supercopa and Copa del Rey last month.

In December, Barca boss Xavi pledged that the club will return to the level of Europe’s elite and wasted no time in delving into the transfer market.

Stripped of the captaincy and dropped by Arsenal for disciplinary reasons, his boss Mikel Arteta said the Gabon international had failed to demonstrate the commitment and passion to play for the club. That may well be true and Arteta has acted decisively.

Yet Barca will know if the player can reproduce the form which inspired the Gunners to FA Cup success just 18 months ago, then they have a free transfer bargain after the late dash to Catalonia.

The scene is certainly set for an exciting contest at the Nou Camp on Sunday afternoon.

Key statistics

When they met earlier in the season, there was a certain inevitability as Luis Suarez, the player Barcelona let go for Atletico, scored in a 2-0 win for the champions which was as comfortable as the scoreline suggests.

The corresponding fixture last season saw a nervy goalless draw at the Nou Camp in May which was crucial as Atletico stayed ahead of Barca and managed to hold off the challenge of city rivals Real to be crowned champions a few weeks later.

Atletico may have only won three of their last 14 meetings but they were all over the last two seasons, including a Spanish Super Cup thriller at the start of 2020.

They will also remember fondly the Champions League quarter-finals in 2016 played at their former Vicente Calderon ground when two first half goals from Antoine Griezmann sealed a 2-0 success and a 3-2 aggregate win to send the holders crashing out after they had won the first leg 2-1.

Overall, Barcelona have triumphed in virtually half (31) of their 63 matches with 17 Atletico successes and 15 draws.

Betting Tip

	Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid	1X2 Draw @ 3.25
	February 6, 23:15 (GMT+8)

Barca are slight favourites with the SBOTOP La Liga 2022 betting odds, priced 1X2 @ 2.36 compared to Atletico at a slightly distant @ 2.95.

With Asian Handicap odds, you can back the hosts -0.50 @ 2.36 and Atletico 0.00 @ 2.28.

With so much attacking talent on display, then how about over 2.75 goals @ 2.33 or total goal 4-6 @ 3.80?

Another goalless draw is on offer @ 8.75 with Correct Score.

I do think there will be goals in this one but I think it may well be honours even.

 

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