The top two teams in the division, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, will lock horns in La Liga at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Saturday, 21st December.
The Blaugrana, who are going through a rough patch lately, sit at the summit after amassing 38 points from 18 matches. Los Rojiblancos also have 38 points to their name but have played one game less. They are behind the Catalans on goal difference (30 vs 20).
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid: Preview
Barcelona
Under Hansi Flick’s tutelage, Barcelona enjoyed an explosive start to the 2024-25 La Liga season. They won 11 of their first 12 fixtures in the Spanish top flight, losing only to CA Osasuna during their fine run. The Blaugrana’s most impressive result came on Matchday 11, as they claimed a thumping 4-0 victory over arch-rivals Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Just when it seemed like they would run away with the title, Barca hit a snag, losing their momentum and making the championship race a lot closer than they would have liked. In the last six games, Barca have won once, drawn twice, and lost thrice. In their last La Liga outing, Barcelona suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Leganes at home.
Atletico Madrid
Unlike Barcelona, Atletico Madrid had a modest start to the 2024-25 La Liga season. They opened the campaign with a 2-2 draw with Villarreal, suffered a goalless draw with Espanyol on Matchday 3, were again held at 1-1 by Rayo Vallecano on Matchday 6, and lost to Real Betis on Matchday 11.
However, unlike Barcelona, they have peaked at the right time, managing to win their last 11 games in all competitions, with six of them coming in La Liga. In their last outing, Atletico Madrid claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over Getafe.
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid: Team News, Probable XI, and Head-to-Head
Barcelona
The Catalans will not have the services of Lamine Yamal for the top-of-the-table clash against Atletico Madrid. The 17-year-old suffered an ankle injury against Leganes and is likely to be out of action until mid-January. Marc Bernal (ACL) and Marc-Andre ter Stegen (ACL), meanwhile, are out for the season.
Barcelona XI: Pena; Kounde, Martinez, Cubarsi, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Olmo, Lopez, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Atletico Madrid
With Thomas Lemar recently rejoining team training, Diego Simeone has a clean bill of health. He is set to field his strongest XI to try and pick up the first away win at Barca since February 2006.
Atletico Madrid XI: Oblak; Llorente, Lenglet, Gimenez, Galan; Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Gallagher; Alvarez, Griezmann
Head-to-Head
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have faced each other 242 times over the years. The former has won 110 games, the latter 76, while the remaining 56 games ended all square.
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid: Prediction
Barcelona have not lost to Atletico Madrid at home in 18 years, and we believe they will maintain that record on Saturday. A win, however, also seems highly unlikely.
Our prediction: Barcelona 1-1 Atletico Madrid
