Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona Predictions

• Barcelona have won three of the five meetings between these teams this season
• Atletico Madrid hold a 2-0 lead from the first leg
• Atleti overcame Barcelona over two legs in the Copa del Rey

Barca chasing a deficit at Metropolitano

Atletico Madrid hold a 2-0 lead over La Liga rivals Barcelona going into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie on Tuesday in the Spanish capital but the visitors can’t be written off just yet.

Los Colchoneros made the most of a numerical advantage in the first meeting as Barca were reduced to 10-men late in the first half. Julian Alvarez scored an exquisite free kick, which was awarded from the challenge that saw Pau Cubarsi dismissed, and Alexander Sorloth added a second midway through the second half.

Barcelona can win on the night

This will be the sixth meeting between these sides this season and, in terms of results at least, Barcelona have had the edge.

The Catalan giants won both La Liga meetings but Atleti did manage to overcome Barca in the Copa del Rey. That tie saw Diego Simeone’s side win the first leg 4-0 in Madrid, with Barcelona fighting back in the return fixture but falling just short as they claimed a 3-0 win.

A similar situation could unfold on Tuesday with Barcelona winning on the night but still exiting the competition as Atleti have a formidable home record and know a narrow defeat would still be enough to progress.

Barca have won 10 of their last 12 games and Atleti have four defeats in their last five. The hosts will probably be happy to defend in numbers and try to hit Barcelona on the counter, and those tactics won’t change even if they do fall a goal behind.

Barcelona were on top in the first half of the first leg and even after being reduced to 10 men they were still able to carve out chances and dominate possession for large periods. If they are able to keep their full complement on the pitch they can win at the Metropolitano.

Atleti can seal last four spot

A Barcelona win is expected but Atleti can do enough to secure a last four spot and a 2-1 win for the visitors is the correct score pick.

The Madrid outfit have only failed to score in one home game this season across all competitions and should be able to get on the scoresheet, as Barcelona have conceded in six of their last seven games – including a 2-1 La Liga win at this venue earlier this month.

Alvarez scored in the first leg and he can follow that up with a strike in the second. The Argentina international has starred in Europe this season with nine goals in 12 games, and he has two goals in four appearances against Barca.