La Liga football returns after an international break where we found out the majority of the teams that will be competing at next year’s World Cup in Russia. One player that single-handedly saved his nation from the jaws of defeat was Lionel Messi, who is back in domestic action this weekend. Barcelona travel to Atletico’s new stadium for the first time in hope of maintaining the 100% record that has put them top of the league. The hosts are currently fourth in the table with 15 points, already six points behind the league leaders.

STATS

• Atletico are one of three unbeaten teams in the Spanish top flight but after drawing three of their seven games, they have struggled to turn one point into three. They have won three of their last five in the league but goalless draws with Valencia and Leganes have been particularly disappointing. Although, they’re still ahead of Real Madrid, so it can’t be too bad!
• Barcelona have been simply untouchable in La Liga so far this term and with seven wins from seven, they have already opened up a five point lead over Sevilla in second. They eased past Las Palmas in their last match, which was bizarrely behind closed doors, as they won 3-0. They are averaging over three goals a game so far with 23 goals in the seven matches.
• It comes as a surprise to see that Antoine Griezmann isn’t Atletico’s leading goal scorer at this stage. Yannick Ferreira Carrasco and Angel Correa are leading the way with three goals each.
• Something that isn’t a surprise is seeing Lionel Messi’s name at the top of the list for La Liga’s top goal scorer. With 12 goals, he has almost double the amount of his closest competitor.

HEAD TO HEAD

Atletico have really struggled against Barcelona in recent years and you would have to go back to 2010 to find the last time Diego Simeone’s side beat them in the league. Barca have won four of the last five meetings in La Liga, three of which with a 2-1 scoreline. This was the case in the last fixture as a late Lionel Messi winner secured three points for his side.

Head to head matches: Atletico Madrid - FC Barcelona

26.02.2017

LaLi

Atletico Madrid

FC Barcelona

1:2

ATLETICO NEWS

A loss for Atletico in this one would see them slip even further away from the league leaders so they need to simply avoid defeat against their title rivals. Filipe Luis and Lucas Hernandez aren’t expected to return after muscular injurie while Augusto Fernandez should make the bench for Atleti.

Latest matches: Atletico Madrid

30.09.2017	LaLi	CD Leganes	Atletico Madrid	0:0	D
27.09.2017	UEFA	Atletico Madrid	Chelsea FC	1:2	L
23.09.2017	LaLi	Atletico Madrid	Sevilla FC	2:0	W
20.09.2017	LaLi	Athletic Bilbao	Atletico Madrid	1:2	W
16.09.2017	LaLi	Atletico Madrid	Malaga CF	1:0	W

BARCELONA NEWS

A win for Barcelona would put them in a very commanding position at this early stage of the campaign. They will be without Ousmane Dembele, who will return in the new year, and Rafinha, who is expected to miss another month of action. Arda Turan is back in training and could make the squad.

Latest matches: FC Barcelona

01.10.2017	LaLi	FC Barcelona	Las Palmas UD	3:0	W
27.09.2017	UEFA	Sporting CP	FC Barcelona	0:1	W
23.09.2017	LaLi	Girona FC	FC Barcelona	0:3	W
19.09.2017	LaLi	FC Barcelona	SD Eibar	6:1	W
16.09.2017	LaLi	Getafe CF	FC Barcelona	1:2	W

SUMMARY

Meetings between these two sides are always full of entertainment and passion from both sets of players, this one is expected to be no different. While Atletico will have the backing of their deafeningly loud fans, it is Barca who go into the match as slight favourites due to their blistering form. It should be very close and a draw is probably the most likely result but both sides have individuals with enough quality to win the match. It has the potential to be a cracking game between two European giants.