Top tier football returns in Europe this weekend after the international break and Atletico Madrid host Barcelona in Spain’s La Liga in a mouthwatering clash.
Atleti sit third in the table with 17 points from seven games, and they have two games in hand over early pacesetters Real Sociedad, who are three points clear.
The capital club are already six points ahead of Barca in the battle for the La Liga title and they can strike a real blow to the Catalans if they can take all three points at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on Saturday evening.
Los Colchoneros will be without former Barcelona man Luis Suarez for this weekend’s fixture and fellow forward Diego Costa is injured but they still have plenty of quality going forward.
Youngster Joao Felix has hit some real form with five goals in La Liga already, just one shy of his tally from last term, and should step up to take on the extra responsibility in attack with Suarez missing.
Barcelona did manage a convincing 5-2 win over Real Betis in their last league fixture but they have come unstuck in their bigger games so far this season, having lost 3-0 in a Camp Nou El Clasico at the end of October.
Atleti have a few injury issues and that is a concern, but they have managed a win and a draw in their last two meetings with Barca and are the form team going into this one.
An Atletico Madrid win at 19/10 appeals here and the 31/20 on over 1.5 goals for the hosts also stands out.
Sevilla too Strong for Celta
Earlier on Saturday, Sevilla entertain Celta Vigo in what looks to be a very winnable contest for the hosts.
Sevilla have two wins and a defeat from three home games this season and last term they only lost twice when entertaining in the league all season.
Celta go into this match-up in woeful form and are without a win in their last seven games, with three draws and four defeats.
The visitors have only lost once on their travels in five games this season, with the other four games ending in draws. However, all of those points have come against sides in the bottom half of the table and Sevilla could be a step up in class too far.
A home win is on offer at 20/27 and if you’re feeling a little braver the 7/5 on a Sevilla win to zero looks a solid option.
Sociedad can Keep Hold of Top Spot
Sociedad are the current table toppers in La Liga and they can ensure they finish the weekend at the summit with a win in Cadiz on Sunday.
Promoted Cadiz have impressed this season, picking up a famous win at Real Madrid, and they sit in sixth spot after nine games.
However, aside from the win over Real they have struggled against top quality opponents and they went down 4-0 at Atletico in the last round of games.
Sociedad have won their last four away games and they can make it five road wins on the spin at 20/23 on Sunday.
*All odds correct at time of writing
