Having reclaimed top spot in La Liga this past weekend, Barcelona will look to retain the throne when they host Atletico Madrid.
La Liga leaders Barcelona will be looking for their fifth straight win in the league when they square up against an in-form Atletico Madrid side at the refurbished Spotify Camp Nou on Tuesday night.
The home team are on top of the points table with 34 points in their 14 outings across competitions. With Real Madrid just a point behind them, they will not want to slip up anytime soon.
After suffering a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Chelsea, the Catalan giants bounced back with an impressive 3-1 win over Alaves this past weekend. With Los Blancos dropping points yet again, Hansi Flick’s team now have the top spot, and they will do everything in their power to keep hold of it.
The visitors are fourth on the table with 31 points in their 14 games. Los Rojiblancos are only three points off the top of the table after a disappointing start, thanks to six straight wins in La Liga. Diego Simeone’s team are heading into this fixture on the back of a clinical 2-0 win over Real Oviedo.
Given the kind of form they have been in, the Colchoneros will certainly give Barcelona a run for their money. 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 will remain without the services of Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Gavi, and Fermin Lopez. Ronald Araujo is a major doubt after having missed the last outing because of illness. Meanwhile, Eric Garcia should be available despite being forced off at half-time in their last outing.
Barcelona will lineup in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Joan Garcia will be in goal. Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde will be the full-backs, while Garcia should continue in the heart of the defence alongside Pau Cubarsi.
As for the midfield unit, Frenkie de Jong will start alongside Pedri in the double pivot in the centre of the park. The central midfield duo will look to shield the backline and control the tempo of the game.
Lamine Yamal and Raphinha should feature on the flanks, while Dani Olmo should take up the number 10 role. Finally, Robert Lewandowski will spearhead the Barcelona attack against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Garcia; Kounde, Garcia, Cubarsi, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Atletico Madrid
The visitors will be without the services of Marcos Llorente and Robin Le Normand. Apart from the duo, everyone else is expected to be available for this fixture. Diego Simeone made quite a few changes to his preferred XI last time out, so the Atletico Madrid manager will look to recall all his regulars for this big clash with Barcelona.
The visitors will line up in a 4-1-4-1 formation, where Jan Oblak will be in goal. Nahuel Molina and Matteo Ruggeri should be the full-backs, while Jose Maria Gimenez will pair up with David Hancko in the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Johnny Cardoso will feature as the defensive midfielder in front of the backline. He will look to ensure Barcelona midfielders do not dominate the proceedings in the midweek La Liga clash.
Giuliano Simeone and Alex Baena will feature out wide on the flanks, while Pablo Barrios and Koke will take charge as the two central midfielders. Finally, Julian Alvarez, recently linked with Barcelona, will lead the line for Atletico Madrid against Barcelona on Tuesday.
Probable Lineup (4-1-4-1): Oblak; Molina, Gimenez, Hancko, Ruggeri; Cardoso; Simeone, Barrios, Koke, Baena; Alvarez
Key Stats
- Since losing to Real Madrid, Barcelona have won each of their last four league outings.
- Atletico Madrid have won each of their last six league outings.
- Barcelona will be looking to make it seven wins in their last eight meeting against Atletico Madrid.
- The Catalan giants have the best attack in the division, having scored 39 goals so far.
- Atletico Madrid have the joint best defensive record in La Liga, having conceded just 11 goals in 14 outings.
Player to Watch
Raphinha
The Brazilian international had a sensational season last time out, and he has carried that form into the new season. While the Brazilian international had an impressive start to the season, a hamstring injury kept him on the sidelines for some time.
However, the 28-year-old is back fit and seems to have already hit top gear. Having bagged an assist in their game against Alaves, Raphinha will now be eager to find the back of the net in this important clash.
Prediction
Barcelona 3-2 Atletico Madrid
Barcelona head into this heavyweight clash with Atletico Madrid buoyed by their rise to the top of the table and a return to form after their win over Alaves. Hansi Flick’s side have begun to find attacking fluency again, with Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, and Dani Olmo all offering creativity and directness behind Lewandowski.
Atletico Madrid, however, arrive at Camp Nou as one of the most in-form teams in Spain and fully capable of unsettling the leaders. Six straight league wins have reignited their title push, and Diego Simeone’s men have looked organised, disciplined and increasingly dangerous in transition.
The visitors’ defensive record this season underlines their resilience, and they will certainly not go down without a fight. The Hard Tackle predicts a hard-fought 3-2 win for the Catalan giants.
