Football Bet of the Day: Atleti to feel Barcelona’s firepower

The Copa del Rey semi-final first leg between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona takes place on Thursday (20:00 GMT) at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. These two sides meet in the last four for the second season running, with Atleti hoping to avenge their defeat.

It is from this contest that I have picked out my Football Bet of the Day, which can be found below.

Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona Odds

Atletico have won three of their last four home games in all competitions and they are 2/1 to come out on top in this first leg.

The second leg in Barcelona last season ended in a 4-4 draw, and the stalemate is priced at 11/4. Barca are 23/20 to gain the advantage and they have won four their past five competitive fixtures.

The Metropolitano is a tough place to visit given Atleti's strong home form but they have been beaten here twice this season in all competitions and those defeats have come in succession - against Bodo/Glimt in the Uefa Champions League and then Real Betis in La Liga.

Their opponents, on the other hand, have won three successive away trips across as many competitions and given their attacking numbers this term, they should fancy themselves to take control of this tie in Madrid.

The Blaugrana have scored 99 goals in total this season across all competitions and they pose a huge threat to the defensive-minded Atletico. The two teams have already faced one another in the league this term, with Barcelona prevailing 3-1 on home soil.

Three of Barca's star attackers were on the scoresheet that day - Raphinha, Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres. Forward Robert Lewandowski had a chance to get in on the action from the penalty spot but it was squandered with a terrible miss.

Given the hosts have suffered back-to-back defeats in their own backyard, and Barca's current winning streak on their travels, I think the visitors will be sensing a huge opportunity to take control of this tie in the capital to give them advantage ahead of next month's meeting at Camp Nou.

Barca boss Hansi Flick has a lot of attacking options at his disposal and each of them could have an impact against Atleti. Having already seen their opponent's firepower firsthand this campaign, Diego Simeone will likely try to set his team up to be even tougher to break down.

But their unbeaten home record has crumbled in recent weeks and successive losses presents Barcelona's forwards a chance to take their team to a century of goals for the season, as well as put one foot in the Copa del Rey final.

Due to their attacking strength, I am anticipating Flick's men to flex their muscles and win this clash, but I think Atleti can get in on the action, like they did in December's meeting.

Four of the past five head-to-head meetings between the clubs have seen both teams get on the scoresheet, while BTTS - Yes has featured in each of Barcelona's past four competitive away trips coming into Thursday's contest.

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