Barcelona will be forced to snap out of their sleepy malaise when they host Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Sunday.
Xavi’s side have followed up their Copa del Rey exit with goalless draws with Girona and Getafe, though they still hold a comforting nine point advantage over nearest rivals Real Madrid.
However, Atletico Madrid are one of the form teams in Europe right now, having won their last six straight league games. Diego Simeone’s side are third and haven’t lost since a Copa del Rey defeat to Real in late January.
Here’s all the info on a big involving two La Liga giants.
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid H2H Results (Last Five Meetings)
Current Form (Last Five Games)
|
Country |
TV Channel/Live Stream |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
Viaplay Sports 1, LaLigaTV, Viaplay UK |
|
United States |
ESPN Deportes, ESPN+ |
|
Canada |
TSN3, TSN+ |
Barcelona team news
Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Ousmane Dembele are all closing in on returns to the Barça squad, but only De Jong has a major chance of featuring this week.
Andreas Christensen remains out, so Ronald Araujo may partner Eric Garcia in defence, while Sergi Roberto is facing a battle to be fit again this season after picking up a hamstring problem against Getafe.
(4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Garcia, Balde; Gavi, Busquets, Kessie; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Fati.
Atletico Madrid team news
Reinildo won’t play again this season due to a cruciate ligament injury, while Memphis Depay is a doubt to face his former club.
Midfielders Geoffrey Kondogbia and Marcos Llorente are suspended – both picked up their fifth league bookings of the season last time out against Almeria.
Atletico Madrid predicted lineup (3-5-2): Oblak; Hermoso, Savic, Gimenez; Molina, De Paul, Barrios, Koke, Carrasco; Griezmann, Morata.
Barcelona are sleepwalking slightly as we approach the end of the season. Their hefty lead in La Liga and lack of involvement in other competitions may have brought in a carelessness to their play, with their finishing in front of goal particularly poor recently.
Atleti have hit a consistent run of form and might have been in the title conversation had they not started the season so poorly.
Antoine Griezmann has been in wonderful form for club and country of late and his side may leave Camp Nou with all three points against his old club.
Prediction: Barcelona 0-2 Atletico Madrid
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