Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona preview, prediction, team news and head-to-head

The two Spanish heavyweights meet once again at this stage of the competition as, boosted by the arrival of Ademola Lookman, Diego Simeone’s men aim for revenge after last season’s elimination at the hands of the Catalan giants.

• Both teams to score

• Over 3.5 goals

• Barcelona to win

Facing Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey is not a new challenge for Atletico Madrid, having been knocked out 5-4 on aggregate by the Catalans at the same stage last season. 

The hosts dug deep to beat fourth division side Atletico Baleares 3-2 in the round of 32 and Deportivo La Coruna 1-0 in the round of 16, before facing Betis, whom they trashed 5-0.

However, they head into this match off the back of 1-0 home loss to Betis in the La Liga, highlighting their inconsistency this season. They also lost 3-1 to Barcelona in the league in December.

That result means Simeone’s men have won just two of their last five matches across all competitions, alongside one draw and two defeats. They currently sit third in the league with 45 points, 13 behind leaders Barcelona, leaving their title hopes hanging by a thread.

With La Liga slipping away, the Copa del Rey represents a significant opportunity for silverware this season, and Los Rojiblancos will be desperate to avoid a repeat of last season's scenario.

Barcelona, meanwhile, arrive in formidable form. Hansi Flick’s side have won their last six matches in all competitions, scoring at least twice in each of those victories as they seek to defend their title. They will also hope to gain an advantage here before next month’s second leg.

The Blaugrana defeated CD Guadalajara 2-0 in the round of 32, beat Racing Santander by the same score-line in the round of 16, and then defeated Albacete last time out. Having already lifted the Spanish Super Cup this season, Barcelona remain in contention for multiple trophies. 

They are through to the Champions League last 16, top of the La Liga table and are eyeing another Copa del Rey final appearance as part of a potential treble charge.

Encouragingly for Flick’s men, they have won the last three meetings between these two sides, a psychological edge they will hope to carry into this semi-final first leg.

For Atletico Madrid, Marc Pubill is a doubt after missing the recent league fixture due to illness, but he could return if fully recovered. Nicolas Gonzalez is also a doubt with ongoing physical discomfort, while Johnny Cardoso is sidelined with a muscle injury.

Pablo Barrios also remains unavailable (thigh). 

Barcelona have their own injury concerns. Frenkie de Jong (groin), Andreas Christensen (cruciate ligament), Gavi (meniscus) and Pedri (hamstring) will remain sidelined. Raphinha is also not yet ready to return from a thigh injury and will miss this encounter.

Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Llorente, Pubill, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Mendoza, Koke, Baena; Griezmann, Lookman

Barcelona: Garcia; Martin, Garcia, Araujo, Cancelo; Bernal, Olmo, Lopez; Rashford, Torres, Yamal

Atletico are expected to surrender possession to the visitors and look to exploit their high defensive line, as they did last time out.

The visitors will look to play in-between the lines, use the trickery and pace of their wingers, while maintaining a high defensive line. Barcelona are unbeaten in their last eight Copa del Rey meetings with Atletico, and are the favourites to progress to the final for the second consecutive season.

Correct score prediction: Atletico Madrid 2-3 Barcelona