Atletico Madrid and Barcelona both booked their spot in the Champions League quarter-finals this week and they will go head-to-head with one another in La Liga this Sunday.
The capital side have been in patchy form in recent weeks, but their woes have almost exclusively come on the road. They boast a sensational home record and can close the gap between them and Barcelona to just two points this weekend, even if they have lost the last three games against the Catalan side 1-0.
Barcelona have been re-energised since Xavi announced his departure at the end of the season and are now unbeaten in their last nine matches. They are now not too far off Clasico rivals Real Madrid at the summit of La Liga, although they have undoubtedly left a title charge far too late.
Here’s 90min’s preview of Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona on Sunday.
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona H2H record (Last Five Games)
Current form (all competitions)
Atletico Madrid | Barcelona |
|---|---|
Atletico Madrid 2-1 Inter – 13/03/2024 | Barcelona 3-1 Napoli – 12/03/2024 |
Cadiz 2-0 Atletico Madrid – 09/03/2024 | Barcelona 1-0 Mallorca – 08/03/2024 |
Atletico Madrid 2-1 Real Betis – 03/03/2024 | Athletic Club 0-0 Barcelona – 03/03/2024 |
Athletic Club 3-0 Atletico Madrid – 29/02/2024 | Barcelona 4-0 Getafe – 24/02/2024 |
Almeria 2-2 Atletico Madrid – 24/02/2024 | Napoli 1-1 Barcelona – 21/02/2024 |
Country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | ITV4, ITVX, Viaplay Sports 1, Viaplay UK, LaLigaTV |
United States | ESPN+, ESPN Deportes |
Canada | TSN+ |
Diego Simeone doesn’t have too many absentees to contend with ahead of Barca’s visit to the Metropolitano, with Jose Maria Gimenez and Thomas Lemar his most influential players currently on the treatment table. Both could return shortly after the international break, but will also be absent for Sunday.
Vitolo and Marcos Paulo are long-term absentees for Simeone and are currently out with cruciate ligament injuries.
Atletico Madrid predicted lineup (3-5-2): Oblak; Savic, Witsel, Azpilicueta; Llorente, De Paul, Koke, Saul Niguez, Lino; Griezmann, Morata.
Xavi has more injuries to deal with than his managerial counterpart, with some key players sidelined again for Barcelona.
In the midfield, the trip of Frenkie de Jong, Pedri and Gavi are all out of action at present, with the latter out for the rest of the season. Both De Jong and Pedri could return shortly after the international break.
Ferran Torres should be missing again with a thigh problem, while Alejandro Balde is missing at left-back. Marcos Alonso could be out as well with a back problem but has a chance of featuring on Sunday.
Barcelona predicted lineup (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Cancelo; Lopez, Christensen, Gundogan; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha.
Atletico have been flying at home this term and are top of the La Liga standings based on their form at the Metropolitano – dropping just two points all year. Their recent record against Barcelona is not ideal, but they may be marginal favourites for Sunday’s exciting encounter.
Barcelona may have improved in recent weeks but their defensive performance left a lot to be desired in their 3-1 victory over Napoli midweek, with midfield absentees potentially proving costly in the capital.
Prediction: Atletico Madrid 2-1 Barcelona
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