Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona: Preview, predictions and lineups

A gargantuan clash will be staged in La Liga on Sunday evening when Barcelona visit title adversaries Atletico Madrid.

The two sides are separated by just a single point as they compete with shared enemy Real Madrid for La Liga and victory for either would mark a sizeable shift in the title picture. It’s a fixture that has generally gone in Barcelona’s favour over recent seasons, although they have failed to win either meeting this season.

Having celebrated progression to the Champions League quarter-finals midweek, La Blaugrana will be aiming to enter the March international break on a high. Hansi Flick’s side, who face Atleti again at the beginning of April in the Copa del Rey, will be considered even greater title favourites should they claim victory at the Metropolitano.

Atleti will use Wednesday’s heartbreaking Champions League exit to city rivals Real Madrid as fuel for their La Liga push, with the fire likely roaring for Barca’s visit. They are the only side yet to be beaten at home in the league this season and have conceded just eight times in 14 matches in front of their own supporters.

Here’s 90min’s guide to a huge battle in Spain.

Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona head-to-head record (last five games)

Current form (all competitions)

Angel Correa’s 88th-minute red card against Getafe last weekend proved doubly costly. Atleti collapsed to a 2-1 defeat and the forward is now suspended for Barcelona’s visit. Koke is expected to join the Argentine on the sidelines as he battles a muscle injury.

Rodrigo De Paul was substituted with a knock during Wednesday’s European defeat but that may have been as a result of fatigue rather than any serious injury. He’s expected to be passed fit for Sunday’s clash.

Reinildo was another substituted through injury midweek and the Mozambique international could be replaced in the lineup by either Cesar Azpilicueta or Javi Galan.

Having seen his side endure 120 gruelling minutes in a Madrid derby just a few days ago, Diego Simeone will be tempted to make some alterations to his team. Nahuel Molina, Robin Le Normand and Samuel Lino are among those who could come into the XI.

Atletico predicted lineup vs Barcelona (4-4-2): Oblak; Molina, Gimenez, Le Normand, Galan; Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Lino; Griezmann, Alvarez.

Barca enjoyed a much simpler European evening as they saw off Benfica and Flick may make just one alteration to the team that triumphed over the Lisbon giants. Pau Cubarsi, who was suspended for the midweek duel, should replace Inigo Martinez at centre-back.

Elsewhere, it’s expected to be the same lineup that beat Benfica, with only Marc Bernal, Andreas Christensen and Marc-Andre ter Stegen in the treatment room at present.

Barcelona predicted lineup vs Atletico (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski.

Sunday’s encounter is unlikely to be as open or goal-laden as the 4-4 Copa del Rey draw at the end of February, but it will almost certainly be as fiercely fought.

Both sides know the potential ramifications of winning or losing such an important title battle and they will each be desperate to avoid defeat at all costs. That could play into the hands of Real Madrid, who will be hoping the spoils are shared at the Metropolitano.

Atletico’s excellent home record means victory for Barca looks difficult, but the Catalan giants should secure a point at the very least.

Prediction: Atletico Madrid 1-1 Barcelona

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