Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona possible line-ups, score predictions, head-to-head, preview.

Preview

Atletico Madrid is fancied to at least extend their unbeaten start to the domestic season when they square off against Ronald Koeman’s Barcelona in this Saturday’s La Liga showpiece.

While Atletico has been somewhat indifferent on the European front with just four points collected from their first three Champions League matches, their La Liga campaign and a potential title challenge are looking extremely healthy following five victories and two draws from seven.

Los Colchoneros have won their last four league games on the spin by at least a two-goal margin and undoubtedly go into this weekend’s heavyweight clash against Barcelona with confidence and momentum on the side.

Champions Barca has been under-par in the main since Ronald Koeman’s arrival at Camp Nou and they currently sit five places and six points behind Atletico in eighth after three wins, two draws and two defeats from their opening seven games.

Barca has won just one of their last five domestically and has earned just a single point from their last two away trips against Getafe (1-0) and Alaves (1-1).

So recent form combined with the fact Atletico are unbeaten in 23 La Liga home outings (W14, D9) makes Saturday’s hosts a knocking bet in the ‘Draw No Bet’ market at around evens and we fancy Simeone’s side to land the spoils here with a grinding 1-0 success.

Team news

Barcelona
Samuel Umtiti (knee), Ronald Araujo (muscle), Sergio Busquets (ligament problems) and Ansu Fati (post-surgery recovery) are unavailable for the game.

Atletico Madrid
Sime Vrsaljko, Lucas Torreira, Hector Herrera, Vitolo and Luis Suarez are injured.
Yannick Carrasco and Diego Costa are doubtful.

Key stats

Atletico Madrid has won five and drawn two of their seven La Liga games this season.

Diego Simeone’s men have won their last four league games on the spin and are unbeaten in 23 La Liga matches at Wanda Metropolitano (W14, D9).

Barcelona has won just one of their last five La Liga games and have claimed just a single point from their last two league starts on the road.

Probable line-ups
Barca XI: Ter Stegen - Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba - Pjanic, De Jong - Messi, Pedri, Dembele - Griezmann.

Atletico Madrid XI: Oblak - Trippier, Felipe, Gimenez, Lodi - Llorente, Kondogbia, Koke, Saul - Felix, Correa.

Manager quotes

💭 Diego Simeone: "Each game is an opportunity and this one is no different. We'll try and take the game to where we think we can do them the most harm. We're up against a side with hierarchy, a squad that's being refreshed, with some really talented youngsters and more experienced heads. It'll be hard, difficult and complex - as it always is against them."

💭 Ronald Koeman: "Tomorrow is an important match and we have to get a good result, it's important for our way of thinking and the league situation. Atletico Madrid is a competitive team who fight for the titles every season and we have to be good in order to win."

Predictions

Sportsmole's Matt Law: Atletico Madrid 1-1 Barcelona

"The two teams played out a 2-2 draw when they last locked horns at the end of June, and we are finding it difficult to separate them once again. Both sides will be without some key players on Saturday, but there will still be plenty of quality on the field, and a draw would not be the worst result for either manager."

90Min's Vayam Lahoti: Atletico Madrid 2-1 Barcelona

"Though Barcelona has improved considerably of late, they will be missing key players here and consistency is something we haven't seen from the Catalan giants under Koeman yet.

"Simeone will have his side's miserable record against Barcelona on his mind and will be smelling blood given their opponents' injury crisis.

"It will be a very even contest but Atletico will have too much firepower for Koeman's men and it's difficult to see past a home win."