Barcelona – Atletico Madrid. Mark O’Haire’s prediction

Barcelona saw their record 39-match unbeaten (W32-D7-L0) streak since October ended by bitter rivals Real Madrid on Saturday but it would be foolish to think the Catalans hadn’t gone into that game with one eye on Tuesday.

The Blaugrana knew there were more important matters at hand as the make a ninth successive last-eight appearance, chasing an eight semi-final spot in nine seasons –a remarkable record.

Having W17-D2-L2 in their last 21 Champions League outings – scoring in all 21 – and triumphing in all 10 Camp Nou games at this level under Luis Enrique, it’s understandable to see the Catalans quoted at short odds-on favourites to take first leg honours.

Barcelona have a stellar recent record against Atleti – winning each of the last six head-to-heads – but the most recent five clashes saw the Catalans squeak a one-goal margin success and in four of those fixtures they conceded to the Madrid club. Further back, only one of the last 13 meetings saw Barca triumph by two goals or more – they’ve been far from dominant.

Los Colchoneros played superbly when ultimately losing 2-1 with nine men in the La Liga duel earlier this season and of course, Diego Simeone’s side stunned the Blaugrana 2-1 on aggregate in the quarter-finals in 2014. They have form.

Nobody relishes playing Atletico; Los Rojiblancos boast Europe’s best defence and although Jose Gimenez is a confirmed absentee, Diego Godin’s return to fitness is a huge boost for the visitors who aree hunting a 14th Champions League shutout in 18 outings.

The capital club have failed to net in 453 minutes of Champions League knockout football and recorded two 0-0s against PSV Eindhoven in the last-16. But since February, the visitors have been scoring regularly, Antoine Griezmann is in the form of his life and winger Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco is expected to return.

Should Los Colchoneros follow Real’s plan to eliminate space on the flanks, the away side could easily sneak something here but keeping a clean sheet will require a monumental effort against the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar – scorers of 42 of Barca’s last 51 Champions League goals (82%).

The superstar trident have notched 11 of the Catalans’ 12 goals against Atletico since the start of last season and I reckon Barcelona may just have enough X-Factor to sneak a first leg success in a showdown that might well go against the grain on the goals front.

Of Barcelona’s last 14 home Champions League victories, 11 featured three or more goals as they conceded on eight occasions. Luis Enrique’s hosts have kept only three clean sheets in 12 matches now, as well as only two in eight at the Camp Nou with each of the past 23 fixtures in Barcelona breaking the Over 2.5 Goals barrier.

So with Atletico netting in five of their most recent seven trips to Barcelona and losing both La Liga meetings 2-1 this season, a repeat scenario seems entirely plausible on Tuesday night. Therefore, I’ll back Barcelona to win and Both Teams To Score at 3.80.