Barcelona and Atletico Madrid will face off in a crucial La Liga clash on Saturday, with both teams tied on points at the top of the table.
Both teams are stuck with 38 points each after 18 games, with Barcelona currently leading on goal difference. However, Atletico have a game in hand, meaning a win would put them ahead of their rivals.
Barcelona have struggled for consistency of late, winning just one of their last six league matches. Their last outing saw them suffer a shock 1-0 defeat at home to Leganes.
In contrast, Atletico are the in-form team in La Liga, having won their last 11 matches in all competitions, including six consecutive league victories. Diego Simeone’s side beat Getafe 1-0 in their previous match thanks to a late strike from Alexander Sorloth.
Team News
Barcelona will be without the services of 17-year-old midfielder Lamine Yamal, who has been ruled out until the new year with an ankle injury.
Andreas Christensen and Ansu Fati have an outside chance to return to the team, but long-term absentees Marc Bernal and Marc-Andre ter Stegen remain sidelined.
Atletico, meanwhile, have a fully fit squad to choose from, with Thomas Lemar’s recent return to fitness giving Diego Simeone a clean bill of health.
Planned lineups
Barcelona (4-2-3-1):
Pena;
Koundé, Cubarsi, Martinez, Baldé;
Married, Pedri;
Elm, F Lopez, Leaf;
Lewandowski
Atlético Madrid (4-4-2):
Cloud;
Llorente, Giménez, Lenglet, Galan;
Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Gallagher;
Alvarez, Griezmann
The match looks set to be a tight one between the two title contenders, with a draw potentially the most likely outcome as both teams look to avoid defeat and maintain their position at the top of the table.
