Barcelona will travel to the Estadio Metropolitano to face off against Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Sunday evening.
Los Rojiblancos have had a mixed campaign this term as they are currently fourth in the table with 55 points from 28 games. They are nowhere near the league leaders Real Madrid so their primary objective for this season is to finish in the top-four and qualify for the Champions League next season.
However, they are currently only two points ahead of the fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao so anything but a victory from this fixture could put Diego Simeone’s side in danger of losing the fourth spot. So, the hosts will be desperate to win this encounter.
On the other hand, Barcelona haven’t had a great campaign this term, considering their high standards, sitting third in the table with 61 points from 28 games.
They are currently eight points behind Real Madrid so the Blaugrana will have to beat Los Rojiblancos this weekend to keep their bleak hope of winning the title alive this season.
However, Atletico Madrid are undefeated at home in La Liga this term and even Real Madrid – who have endured only one defeat in the league this season – had to return empty-handed from the Metropolitano Stadium. So, it will be extremely difficult for the visitors to come away with all three points from this fixture.
Both teams will be coming into this game off the back of a victory in the Champions League in midweek. So, they will feel confident ahead of this crucial encounter.
Previous meetings
Xavi Hernandez has enjoyed success over Simeone having been appointed as the Blaugrana boss back in 2021, winning all four encounters. So, with Xavi set to step down from Barcelona’s managerial role at the end of this season, this is going to be the last chance for Simeone to break his duck over the Barcelona legend.
How to watch
The match will begin at 8 PM UK time and the game will be televised live on ITV4, Viaplay Sports 1, LALIGATV and ITVX in the UK.
Match going fans can buy Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona tickets via the club websites or through trusted online marketplaces such as seatsnet.com.
Team news
Atletico don’t have many injury problems at the moment so Simeone has almost a full fit squad. But, Thomas Lemar and Jose Maria Giménez are set to remain sidelined owing to their respective injury problems.
However, Barcelona’s current situation is completely opposite to their Sunday’s opponent as they have been struggling with several injury problems throughout the season.
Alejandro Balde, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong are all currently sidelined with their respective problems so they aren’t in contention to feature in this encounter. In addition, Gavi has been ruled out for the rest of this season having sustained a serious knee problem.
Ferran Torres and Marcos Alonso have been sidelined over the last few games but there is a possibility they could return for this fixture. So, it remains to be seen whether either of them features in this encounter or not.
Predicted line-up
Simeone is set to field his team in the 3-5-2 formation with Jan Oblak likely to be between the sticks. Stefan Savic, Axel Witsel and Mario Hermoso are expected to be the back three for the hosts with Nahuel Molina and Samuel Lino set to commence in the wing-back position.
Koke should start in the deep-lying playmaker position and on either side of the Spaniard, Rodrigo de Paul and Marcos Llorente could commence. Antoine Griezmann is set to be leading the line for Simeone’s side and it remains to be seen who starts alongside the Frenchman.
Alvaro Morata has been playing throughout the season and has done extremely well. But, Memphis Depay displayed an impressive performance against Inter Milan in midweek and even scored a late goal. So, it is going to be interesting to see whether Simeone rewards the Dutchman for that performance in this game by putting him in the first eleven.
Expected Atletico Madrid line-up vs Barcelona
Oblak; Savic, Witsel, Hermoso; Molina, De Paul, Koke, Llorente, Lino; Griezmann, Morata
As for Barcelona, Xavi is set to go with the 4-3-3 formation in this crucial encounter. Marc-Andre ter Stegen is set to be in goal for the visitors with Pau Cubarsi and Ronald Araujo likely to continue at the heart of the defence. Jules Kounde and Joao Cancelo should be the two fullbacks for Barcelona.
Andreas Christensen is expected to be deployed in the holding midfield position and alongside him, Ilkay Gundogan should be in the engine room, starting Fermin Lopez in the attacking midfield position.
Joao Félix – who is currently on loan at Barcelona from Atletico Madrid – could be in the left-wing position, while Lamine Yamal might continue on the opposite side. Robert Lewandowski is set to be leading the line for the Catalan giants tomorrow. So, Raphinha will have to settle for a place on the bench in this crucial fixture.
Expected Barcelona line-up vs Atletico Madrid
Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Cancelo; Christensen, Gundogan, Lopez; Felix, Lewandowski, Yamal
Key players
After returning to Atletico Madrid following a disappointing spell at Barcelona, Griezmann has managed to regain his best form in recent times. So, Los Rojiblancos fans will be hoping that the Frenchman will be able to guide his team to victory against his former Employers by performing at his best.
Morata or Depay whoever starts this game, will have to be clinical in front of the goal tomorrow as Barcelona aren’t the best team defensively this season so they are expected to give up chances.
As for Barcelona, 16-year-old Yamal has established himself as a key player in Xavi’s starting eleven this season. So, the Barca fans will be hoping to see some magic from the youngster tomorrow.
Lewandowski is the main goal-scorer of the Catalan giants and the responsibility will be on him to help his side come away with all three points from this fixture by putting his name on the score-sheet.
Prediction
Atletico Madrid have only dropped one point at home in La Liga and have lost only one game this season – which came in Copa del Rey against Athletic Bilbao. So, Simeone’s side will be confident to win this game tomorrow.
However, Barcelona have displayed promising performances in recent weeks, remaining unbeaten in the last nine games in all competitions. So, it won’t be easy for the hosts to defeat the Catalan giants.
This is one of the biggest fixtures of Spanish football so it is going to be a crunch encounter. Therefore, it is going to be interesting to see how the game eventually unfolds tomorrow. Atletico Madrid 1-1 Barcelona
