SlipsTips shares a Bet Builder ahead of Atletico Madrid’s clash with Barcelona on Saturday night.
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona, Saturday (20:00)
The marquee La Liga match this weekend sees Atletico Madrid host Barcelona at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday night.
Diego Simeone’s side will be eager to bounce back following a 3-2 defeat at the hands of rivals Real Madrid in their last outing.
Meanwhile, Barcelona will look to protect their four-point lead at the top after a 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano before the international break.
Lamine Yamal To Be Fouled 2+ Times
For the first leg of a Bet Builder double, I’m sticking with what has been a familiar theme for me in this column this season by backing Lamine Yamal to be fouled at least twice. The Barcelona teenage sensation is routinely targeted by opposition defenders, and that close attention consistently leads to him winning free-kicks for his side.
That’s reflected in the numbers, with Yamal drawing an average of 2.07 fouls per game in La Liga this season. A deeper dive shows the Spanish superstar has been brought down multiple times in eight of his 12 league appearances away from home this term.
The case is further strengthened by his Champions League figures, where Yamal has drawn at least two fouls in seven of his eight appearances thus far, including each of his three outings away from Camp Nou.
Matteo Ruggeri To Commit 1+ Foul
The second leg of the Bet Builder ties in neatly with the first, as I’m backing Matteo Ruggeri to commit at least one foul. The Atletico Madrid left-back is likely to be locked in a direct duel with the aforementioned Yamal, making him a prime candidate to be penalised a minimum of once.
Moreover, Ruggeri has averaged 1.64 fouls per game in La Liga this season, overstepping the mark at least once in eight of his last 10 outings. While his figures dip slightly in the Champions League, the Italian’s average of 0.90 fouls per 90 on the continent still underlines his tendency to get himself on the wrong side of the referee.
Given all that, Ruggeri looks a solid pick to register at least one foul during Saturday night’s showdown in Madrid, particularly given his direct opponent.
Together, these picks form a 20/23 (bet365) play that offers value.
Recommended Bet
- Lamine Yamal To Be Fouled 2+ Times
- Matteo Ruggeri To Commit 1+ Foul
- Bet Builder – 20/23 (bet365)
Grant Heaney, aka SlipsTips, is a Freelance Football and Darts Writer with over six years experience. Grant has written football and darts betting content for some of the biggest betting websites and newspapers in the UK. He is a Falkirk season ticket holder and avid watcher of football and darts, whether it be UK-based or further afield. You can find all of his tips on X @SlipsTips
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