Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid – La Liga – Preview

Posted on January 30, 2016 by Sreya

It is a clash of the titans in La Liga this Saturday when Atletico Madrid travel to El Camp Nou to take on Barcelona. There is not much to separate between both clubs, with a similar points total of forty eight points after twenty matches, having won fifteen, drawn three and lost two.

Only a superior goal difference has allowed Barcelona to claim the summit of the Spanish top flight after Atletico Madrid played out a 0-0 draw against Sevilla at home last weekend, while Barcelona defeated Malaga 2-1 in a crucial away fixture.

Team News

Rafinha is still sidelined through an injury for Barcelona. Luis Enrique declared Neymar fit to play in his pre-match press conference while Jordi Alba has been listed as doubts and will face a late fitness test. Gerard Pique returns from suspension and will slot in next to Javier Mascherano at centre back.

Tiago and Fernando Torres are the only injury concerns for Atletico Madrid, with Diego Simeone having a healthy squad otherwise. Angel Correa is suspended due to collecting five yellow cards so far.

Barcelona Possible Starting Lineup: Claudio Bravo, Dani Alves, Gerard Pique, Javier Mascherano, Jeremy Mathieu, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar.

Atletico Madrid Possible Starting Lineup: Jan Oblak, Juanfran, Raul Gimenez, Diego Godin, Felipe Luis, Saul Niguez, Augusto Fernandez, Gabi, Koke, Luciano Vietto, Antoine Griezmann.

Thoughts From Both Camps

“I am not concerned [about the lack of signings], I do not care, I just worry about Saturday’s game. That’s what I can have under control. I still have hope [of getting a new signing] but my goal is to focus on football.

There’s not much between the teams at the top of the table and I think it will continue that way. Independent of the result tomorrow, any team can suddenly complicate things for you, and we have a long way to go yet. Tomorrow’s match isn’t decisive at all.”

– Luis Enrique, Barcelona.

“The important thing for the group is to get back up and we have a big match against a great rival on Saturday. We have to play a better match – that is a given. Just as everyone thought we were the favourites at home, everyone will think Barcelona are favourites, so maybe the same thing happens but in our favour.”

– Gabi, Atletico Madrid.

Contributor’s Pick

According to Head-2-Head statistics, Barcelona have won five of the last six meetings between these two clubs and one has ended in a draw. Although Atletico Madrid are undefeated in 17 of their previous 19 away matches in the La Liga, Barcelona have won 10 of their last 11 league matches.

It should be a closely contested affair, but the hosts are favorites, with a 2-1 scoreline in favor of the home side being the most probable.