- Barcelona have won three of their last five across all competitions and their last two matches in all competitions
- Atletico Madrid have won three of their last five (1 draw, 1 defeat) across all competitions
- Raphinha has 12 goals in LaLiga 2026-2027 (7 apps) and is Barcelona's most lethal player
Barca are too hot for Atletico to handle
Atletico Madrid can be a very boring team at times, but in the last week their football has been full of life and they look capable of causing Barcelona a lot of problems when the two top-of-the-table teams meet at Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Sunday.
Atletico Madrid have won four and drawn one of their five home games in LaLiga 2026-2027 and that gives them real bite at the Metropolitano, but Hans-Dieter Flick's Barcelona have been even better away from home.
Barcelona have played five and won five of their away matches in the Spanish top-flight this season, scoring a total of 22 goals - an average of 4.40 per game on their travels.
Alvarez, Raphinha could be the difference
The visitors arrive in good shape for this clash with three wins in their last five and back-to-back victories in their two most recent outings. A 6-1 demolition of Deportivo Alaves at home was followed by a 3-0 home success over Aston Villa, but Atletico Madrid are not easy to break down.
Oscar Fernandez's side can be a frustrating team to watch as they are set up to be compact with a basic 4-4-2 that can morph into a 5-3-2 without the ball. But they are a dangerous side going forward, especially if Julian Alvarez has his shooting boots on.
Julian Alvarez has scored twice in the past five matches. He adds a bit of steel to Atletico Madrid's line-up up top and the hosts will make the blaugranes work hard to get at them.
Both teams to score on the cards
Backing Atletico to get a result could pay off, although we are taking a high-scoring night at Riyadh Air Metropolitano as our main bet in this top-of-the-table clash. Over 2.5 goals is priced at 1.33 with BTTS - Yes at 1.35.
A draw looks live and can be backed at 4.2, but Barcelona are likely to win the chess match if that's what it turns out to be. Barcelona want to push men forward and penetrate Atletico's press, while Atletico will look to pinch possession and counter attack the spaces left behind.
Barcelona have won the last two meetings between the clubs and claimed a 2-1 win away from home in the most recent encounter seven months ago.
