A top-of-the-table clash awaits in La Liga, with league leaders Barcelona set to host second-placed Atletico Madrid.
Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid can clinch the top spot in La Liga with a win over Barcelona away from home on Saturday night. The visitors are level on points with the home team with a game in hand. As a result, a win here could be a significant boost to their title aspirations.
The Blaugrana have accumulated 38 points in their 18 outings thanks to 12 wins, two draws and four defeats. They were dominating proceedings in La Liga. But things have gone downhill over the last five weeks as they have only won one out of their last six league games.
Barcelona are heading into this fixture against Atletico Madrid on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Leganes. Despite dominating the ball and taking 20 shots at goal, they could not find the back of the net. Hansi Flick’s team will have to return to their best if they want to take down Atletico.
The visitors have also accumulated 38 points but they have done it in 17 games with 11 wins, five draws and a defeat. They have been on a roll having won each of their last 11 games across competitions.
Having won their last six league games, Los Rojiblancos will be confident about making it seven in a row. Atletico Madrid are heading into this fixture against Barcelona on the back of a win over Getafe. While the 1-0 win was not their best performance, they got the job done and will be confident of getting a positive result against the Catalan giants. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Barcelona
The home team suffered a massive blow last time out as Lamine Yamal picked up an ankle injury. He will be on the sidelines until the early stages of 2025.
Hansi Flick will remain without the services of Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Marc Bernal. Meanwhile, Ansu Fati and Andreas Christensen could both return to the squad for this one.
The Catalan giants will stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Inaki Pena will be in goal. The back four will consist of Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, and Alejandro Balde. Kounde and Balde will be on the flanks while Cubarsi and Martinez will be in the heart of the defence.
In the centre of the park, Marc Casado should partner with Pedri. The duo will look to control the tempo of the game. With Yamal unavailable, Dani Olmo will shift to the right flank while Fermin Lopez should take up the number ten role. Raphinha will continue on the left, and Robert Lewandowski will lead the line for the home team.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Olmo, F Lopez, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone will have a fully fit squad for this all-important top-of-the-table clash. The Argentine Madrid manager should stick with the majority of his players who started their last outing.
Atletico Madrid will line up in a 4-4-2 formation, where Jan Oblak will be in goal. Marcos Llorente and Javi Galan will be the full-backs while Jose Maria Gimenez will partner Clement Lenglet in the heart of the defence.
Conor Gallagher should return to the starting XI should feature on the left flank, while Giuliano Simeone should continue on the right. In the centre of the park, Rodrigo De Paul should partner with Pablo Barrios. They will look to ensure Barcelona midfielders do not end up dominating the proceedings. In attack, Julian Alvarez should pair up with Antoine Griezmann.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Oblak; Llorente, Gimenez, Lenglet, Galan; Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Gallagher; Alvarez, Griezmann
Key Stats
- Barcelona have lost three out of their last six league games.
- Atletico Madrid have only won 13 of their last 60 matches against Barcelona, who have 32 wins in those outings.
- Barcelona have won each of their last five matches against Atletico Madrid in La Liga.
- Diego Simeone’s team are winless in their last 18 away games against the Blaugrana in La Liga.
- Atletico Madrid have failed to score in any of their last four league games against FC Barcelona.
Player to Watch
Julian Alvarez
The 24-year-old Argentine attacker had difficulty adjusting to life in Spain. He was slow off the blocks but he has picked up pace and has scored 12 goals across competitions. While all the eyes will be the stars like Antoine Griezmann and Robert Lewandowski, the former Manchester City forward could have a big say on the end result of this fixture.
Prediction
Barcelona 2-3 Ateltico Madrid
Barcelona were by far the best team in La Liga until the first week of November, but things have not been that great for them in the last few weeks as they have only won one out of their last six league games. Meanwhile, the visitors have been on a roll of late as they have won their last 11 games in all competitions.
While these are two of the best squads in the division, Atletico will most likely have the upper hand as they have been in much better form. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-2 win for the away team.