After the final international break of 2018 came to its conclusion, club football is back and one of the standout matches of this weekend is Atletico Madrid’s clash with Barcelona.
The two teams are just a point apart at the top of La Liga, with Barcelona first on 24 points and Atletico Madrid in third on 23.
Both of these sides are usually in the thick of the battle for the league title, with Real Madrid usually the other contender to take the top spot.
However, the Galacticos were left behind in the early stages of the season after a poor start under former manager Julen Lopetegui, who left the club at the end of last month.
Atleti and Barcelona have been two of the sides to have profited from Real Madrid’s poor form, but there are now just four points separating Barcelona in first and Real Madrid in sixth, with Real winning their last two league fixtures since Santiago Solari took charge.
A win here for Atletico would throw the title race wide open and Barcelona, who many have strongly tipped to retain their league champions status, could all of a sudden be in real trouble.
Read on for Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona live stream options, team news, predicted XIs, stats, and TV channel info.
When is Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona?
Competition: La Liga
Venue: Wanda Metropolitano
Date: Saturday 24th November
Kick-off: 7:45 PM GMT
Match Preview
Barcelona come into this game having drastically lost their most recent league clash against Real Betis.
None of La Liga’s big hitters have really been at their best so far this season. Barcelona have scored 34 goals but have conceded a whopping 18 in the process and that defensive record needs to be improved on if they’re to cruise to the title again this season.
As for Atletico, Simeone’s side have only lost one league game so far this season but they have drawn five and haven’t even managed to score half of the league goals that Barcelona have managed.
The form table will tell you that Atleti are the in-form team out of these two sides, with Los Colchoneros winning their most recent league match against Athletic Bilbao 3-2.
Home advantage could also be a big factor in this match, with Atleti unbeaten at home this season, winning five of their six La Liga home ties at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Where can I watch live?
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona can be viewed by UK residents on Eleven Sports via their website or their app.
The game is also available to watch on fuboTV.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about fuboTV
Will Lionel Messi play for Barcelona?
He should be fine. Barcelona’s talisman made his comeback in that 4-3 defeat to Real Betis before the international break and scored twice.
Messi returned ahead of schedule after fracturing his arm against Sevilla in October.
Yet again he was not involved in either of Argentina’s matches during the latest international break and was instead filmed catching up with Paul Pogba in Dubai.
In theory, he should be fit and raring to go ahead of this one and Barcelona are probably going to need him at their best if they’re to have any chance of snatching a victory in Madrid.
What’s wrong with Diego Costa?
Costa has not scored a league goal for Atletico in nine months has managed three goals in all competitions this season, one if you discount the brace he scored in the Super Cup against city rivals Real Madrid back in August.
The former Chelsea striker is perhaps the main culprit behind Atleti’s poor form in front of goals this season, although star man Antoine Griezmann has only scored three league goals himself so far.
Costa’s struggle for form has seen him fall out of the reckoning for Spain, too, but the club feel the latest international break came at a very good time for him.
He has been passed fit to lead the line against Barca on Saturday and you can bet your bottom dollar that he’ll be desperate to get his season back on track.
Can Barca find the right balance?
Messi’s injury forced manager Ernesto Valverde to shuffle his pack somewhat as he tried to find a way to churn out results with his star man.
The likes of Rafinha and Ousmane Dembele both shone in his absence but when Messi returned to the side against Real Betis, things didn’t click for Barca.
Valverde now has the challenge of trying to fit Messi back into the team whilst sustaining the good form of those that did well and led the team to some good results whilst the Argentine was sidelined.
Injury issues will add to this problem but it is crucial that Barca tighten up in defence and return to dominating matches in the midfield in the way they always have.
Head-to-head
The last meeting between these two came back in March when a Lionel Messi free-kick was enough to give Barcelona a 1-0 win at Camp Nou.
The overall record between the two sides is a pretty close one but Barca edge out Atletico with 89 wins from 195 matches.
Atletico wins: 60 Draws: 46 Barcelona wins: 89
Team news
There are a number of fitness concerns for both managers to weigh up ahead of this match.
Atletico are in the middle of something of a defensive crisis, with four of their centre-backs all having spent time on the treatment table in recent weeks.
Diego Godin, Lucas Hernandez, Stefan Savic and Jose Maria Gimenez are all touch and go but Diego Simeone is hopeful that they’ll have had enough time to recover from their respective issues during the international break.
As for Barcelona, there was a boost for Valverde this week as Philippe Coutinho returned to training. The former Liverpool midfielder picked up a hamstring injury in Barca’s Champions League draw with Inter Milan earlier this month and hasn’t played since. However, it seems the Brazilian is in contention to return against Atletico.
One player that will definitely be absent is midfielder Ivan Rakitic, who sustained an injury whilst on international duty with Croatia and missed their Nations League loss to England last weekend.
Predicted Atletico Madrid XI: Oblak; Arias, Godin, Hernandez, Luis; Correa, Thomas, Rodri, Saul; Griezmann, Costa.
Predicted Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Busquets, Vidal, Arthur; Messi, Coutinho, Suarez.
Squawka Prediction
Barcelona have struggled at the back this season but we can see Lionel Messi putting on a show for this one.
The Argentine is well rested and will be desperate to make sure his side bounce back from their recent defeat to Real Betis. 2-3.
Predictions and betting tips
Get the BetBull sign-up offer HERE – Ts&Cs apply. +18 only. BeGambleAware.org
1. Atletico to win first half but fail to win @ 15/2
We think this could definitely be worth a punt. Barcelona’s defence has been very shaky this season and there’s every chance they’ll take a while to settle in a hostile atmosphere.
However, we can see Messi and company turning on the style in the second half to get Barcelona over the line. At 15/2 we think this is well worth a punt.
Tip: Atletico to win first half but fail to win @ 15/2 with BetBull – bet here
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
2. Barcelona to score three goals @ 9/2
9/2 is a very good price here considering the attacking talent that Barca will have on show on Saturday.
They are set to be boosted by the return of the little magician that is Philippe Coutinho and, with Atletico Madrid short of players in defence, we think there’s every chance the Catalan giants will be in good form in front of goal.
Tip: Barcelona to score three goals @9/2 with BetBull – bet here
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
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