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Table-toppers Barcelona face a tough trip to Atletico Madrid in their first game after the international break. The Spanish Champions arrive on the back of a nerve-wracking 4-3 defeat against Real Betis at home a fortnight back, which saw their lead at the LaLiga summit reduced to a mere one point.
Meanwhile, back to back wins for Atletico saw them jump to third place with 23 points, and nothing but a win on Saturday night will enable Diego Simeone's men to leapfrog their opponents on the league table this weekend.
However, Alteti's form in recent times against Barcelona has not been very convincing domestically. The 2018 Europa League winners last tasted victory against the Catalan giants during February 2010 in LaLiga, while Barca have picked up 12 wins in the last eight years against Los Rojiblancos.
Match details
Date: Saturday, November 24, 2018
Time: 20:45 local time, 01:15 IST (Nov.25)
Venue: Wanda Metropolitano
TV Schedule: Sony Ten 2, Sony Ten 2 HD
Live-stream: Facebook Watch, Sony LIV
Team news
Atletico Madrid face a huge injury crisis heading into this clash. Skipper Diego Godin and fellow defender Jose Maria Gimenez are both suffering from respective injuries, and are more than likely to miss out this weekend, whereas Stefan Savic and Lucas Hernandez remain doubtful.
Similarly, Barcelona have also been troubled with injuries lately, but were rejuvenated by the timely return of star, Philippe Coutinho, to training earlier this week.
On the other hand, Ivan Rakitic will be sidelined, having been sent off against Real Betis in his last outing, although it has been reported that the Croatian midfielder might be carrying a niggle ahead of next week's Champions League bout against PSV Eindhoven.
Head to head (LaLiga)
Matches played: 162
Atletico Madrid wins: 50
Barcelona wins: 73
Draws: 39
Probable line-ups
Atletico Madrid: Jan Oblak, Santiago Arias, Stefan Savic, Lucas Hernandez, Filipe Luis, Saul Niguez, Rodri, Angel Correa, Thomas Partey, Diego Costa, Antoine Griezmann
Barcelona: Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Sergi Roberto, Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet, Jordi Alba, Arturo Vidal, Sergio Busquets, Arthur, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho
Form guide (All competitions)
Barcelona: LDWWW
Atletico Madrid: WWDDW
Prediction
Despite fitness concerns in both camps, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have always had close encounters in the past few years. A well-rested Lionel Messi has relished playing against Los Rojiblancos in his career, racking up 28 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions.
With the injury concerns Atleti face in defence, Ernesto Valverde's men head in as the favourites, and with the firepower in their ranks, Barca might just nick this tie by a one-goal margin.
Predicted score: Atletico Madrid 1-2 Barcelona
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona betting odds (bet365)
Atletico Madrid: 2.00
Draw: 2.30
Barcelona: 1.37
