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5 bold La Liga predictions: Barcelona bounce back against Atletico

By Benjamin Barkworth

BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 11: Ernesto Valverde head coach of FC Barcelona looks on prior to the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Betis Balompie at Camp Nou on November 11, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Aliaga/MB Media/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 11: Ernesto Valverde head coach of FC Barcelona looks on prior to the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Betis Balompie at Camp Nou on November 11, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Aliaga/MB Media/Getty Images) /
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11th November 2018, Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain; La Liga football, Barcelona versus Real Betis; Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona walks to take a corner (photo by Eric Alonso/Action Plus via Getty Images)
11th November 2018, Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain; La Liga football, Barcelona versus Real Betis; Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona walks to take a corner (photo by Eric Alonso/Action Plus via Getty Images) /

1. Barcelona to bounce back against Atletico

Neither of these two sides has started the season in red-hot fashion. Barcelona have been uncustomarily sloppy with 12 points already dropped in just 12 games, while Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid have started a season slowly once again, which is sure to frustrate fans. Both are benefitting from Lopetegui’s hugely disappointing tenure at Los Blancos that Solari is currently in the process of turning around.

Real are part of a pack that includes Sevilla, Alaves and Espanyol who are all waiting to take advantage of any dropped points in this clash, so a draw would be far from ideal for either side due to how tight it is at the top. Atleti have been formidable at the Wanda Metropolitano with five wins and a total of 16 points in six games, so this will be a tough task for Barcelona.

The Catalans come into this match after an international break during which they had the chance to process their 4-3 loss to Real Betis. Ernesto Valverde needs to solve their defensive leakiness. Eighteen goals conceded in 12 league games is way too high for a team aiming to win the title, and an xGA of 17.23 suggests it is deserved. Last season, they only conceded 29 in total and they’ve already lost more games than they did all of last season in La Liga.

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Atletico are at the other end of the scale in that their issues are in front of goal. Only eight goals conceded means they have the meanest defense in the league. Five draws in 12 games illustrates the scale of their problem, though. They struggle to dispatch teams especially away from home and are often made to pay for it. For this match, they may lack the usual solid defensive platform with Godin unavailable and Jose Gimenez, Lucas Hernandez and Stefan Savic doubtful, according to Marca, so a makeshift defensive solution could be needed.

Lionel Messi will be fully fit for this game after having a whole international break to get back up to speed following a spell on the side lines with injury. He can be the catalyst for a much-needed Barcelona win to make a statement to the rest of the league and bounce back from the recent loss. Ivan Rakitic will be missing for this match, but aside from that, Barca should have a full-strength team, with Arturo Vidal coming in for the Croatian. With Messi spearheading the attack, this is likely to be another Barcelona win against their stubborn opponents.

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