Barcelona and Atletico Madrid lock horns in a blockbuster La Liga clash on Saturday evening, with the winner guaranteed to sit atop the table heading into 2025.
The two sides are tied on 38 points, but Barcelona currently hold first place on goal difference.
The hosts come into this game in shaky form, having collected just five points from their last six league outings (W1, D2, L3).
A shock 1-0 home loss to Leganés last weekend compounded their struggles, marking back-to-back home defeats in the league.
However, Barcelona will take confidence from their recent dominance over Atletico, having won the last five league meetings between the two teams.
Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, are riding high on an 11-game winning streak across all competitions.
Diego Simeone’s side has been clinical in attack and solid defensively, conceding just 11 league goals this season – the joint-best record in La Liga.
A win for the visitors would not only snap their 18-year winless streak in away league games against Barcelona but also underline their credentials as title contenders.
Key Players to Watch:
- Barcelona: Robert Lewandowski will be pivotal in attack for the Catalans. The Polish striker played a decisive role in their last encounter with Atletico, contributing a goal and two assists.
- Atletico Madrid: Antoine Griezmann has been a key figure for Atletico this season and will be eager to end their goal drought against Barcelona, which stretches back to February 2022.
Team News:
- Barcelona: Lamine Yamal is sidelined with an ankle injury, while Andreas Christensen and Ansu Fati remain doubtful. Ronald Araujo is back in the squad but is expected to start on the bench.
- Atletico Madrid: Diego Simeone has a fully fit squad at his disposal, with Thomas Lemar recently returning to action. Conor Gallagher may replace Samuel Lino in the starting XI.
Head-to-Head:
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid bring contrasting forms into this highly anticipated clash, adding an extra layer of intrigue to an already intense rivalry.
The Catalan giants have dominated recent head-to-head encounters, winning the last five league meetings between the two sides.
Their home record against Atletico is even more impressive, as Barcelona have remained unbeaten in league games against the Rojiblancos at home since February 2006.
However, Barcelona’s current form is a cause for concern. Hansi Flick’s side has struggled in recent weeks, managing just one victory in their last six La Liga outings.
This dip in form contrasts sharply with Atletico Madrid’s scintillating run, as Diego Simeone’s men have won 11 consecutive matches in all competitions.
With Barcelona seeking to regain stability and Atletico aiming to break their long-standing away hoodoo in this fixture, Saturday’s clash promises to be a pivotal chapter in the La Liga title race.
Predicted Lineups:
Barcelona: Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Olmo, F. Lopez, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Llorente, Gimenez, Lenglet, Galan; Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Gallagher; Alvarez, Griezmann
