Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid
Barcelona take on Atletico Madrid in a box office Copa del Rey semi-final on Tuesday, with a chance to tee up an El Clasico or Madrid Derby final; should Los Blancos win their semi-final against Real Sociedad.
Los Rojiblancos have just drawn Real Madrid in the Champions League Round of 16 and the three giants are in a mighty battle for the La Liga title, with Barcelona currently at the top. So, the Madrid pair and Barca can’t get enough of each other at the moment!
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona are back on form, without a defeat in 12, while Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid are unbeaten in eight, and both teams come into the game on the back of an impressive away win, Barca beating Las Palmas 2-0 while Atleti coasted to a 3-0 win away to Valencia. With Real Madrid playing Girona on Sunday afternoon the three teams could all be within a single point of each other should Real take all three points.
Back on topic, the Copa del Rey 2025 betting odds make Carlo Ancelotti’s men the tournament favourites at 2.20, with Barcelona at 3.00, Atletico at 4.50 and Real Sociedad out at a SBOTOP price of 11.00, but I wouldn’t rule out the Basque team who are labouring in the league but thriving in the cup.
Talking Points
Both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have taken the Copa deadly seriously, both in the knowledge that winning is a habit and their cup and Champions League exploits will do their La Liga hopes no harm, providing they can steer clear of injuries in the busy run-in.
The Blaugrana and Rojiblancos put in spectacular Copa del Rey 2025 results in the quarter finals, Barca slapping Valencia 5-0 while Atleti thumped Getafe by the very same score line. Ferran Torres made it four goals for the tournament with a first half hat-trick for Barca against Los Ches, while Fermin Lopez and Lamine Yamal were both on target as Barcelona finished the game on the hour. Since then, Flick’s men have won three league games, scoring seven goals and conceding one to climb to the top of the table, Torres climbing off the bench to score an injury time second against La Palmas while Yamal made an assists for Dani Olmo’s opener.
With Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha top scoring in the Champions League, this is a squad firing on all cylinders and they will be taking aim against Atleti again on Tuesday.
Los Rojiblancos have plenty of firepower too. Giuliano Simeone scored a brace as Atletico Madrid whacked Getafe in the quarters while Alexander Sorloth was on target too to make it three for the target. The rapidly improving Juilan Alvarez made an assist but didn’t add to his four Copa goals, though the Argentine striker bagged a brace as Atletico hushed the noisy Mestalla crowd in Valencia with ruthless efficiency on Saturday, to stay within a point of Barcelona at the top of the table. His countryman Angel Correa scored the third against Los Ches while Alvarez scored Atleti’s goal in a recent 1-1 draw with Real Madrid. And then, of course, there is talisman Antoine Griezmann; the Frenchman has lost none of his finesse and guile, and he can still operate as a front man, out wide or pulling the strings just behind the attacking unit.
Away from the high pressure intensity of La Liga and with such an array of attacking talent on display… we should be in for a cracker on Tuesday.
History
Reigning Copa del Rey champions Athletic Bilbao are already out of the competition and record holders Barcelona can extend their lead over Bilbao if they win the 2025 title, currently ahead by 31 trophies to the Basque outfit’s 24. Real Madrid are next in line with 20 Copas and then Atletico have ten, last winning in 2013, while the Blaugrana were champions in 2021.
With 36 wins to 19 the Catalans have held the upper hand in their head to head encounters with Atletico, winning five of the last six meetings, but Los Rojiblancos had a rare success in the run up to Christmas with a 2-1 league win in Barcelona, coming behind from a first half deficit as Sorloth scored a 96th minute winner.
Betting Tip
Barcelona are strong favourites to win this first leg at odds of 1.74 with the draw at 3.69 and an away win at 3.92.
A 2-1 home win is priced at 7.60, slightly longer odds than a 1-1 draw at 7.40, but I think Barca will have a slight edge to leave this tie delicately in the balance.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
