BARCA, ATLETICO IN TOP OFTHE TABLE BATTLE
Barcelona are at the summit due to their superior goal difference, but Atletico, who have a game in hand on the division leaders, are the form team entering this contest, with Diego Simeone’s side on an incredible 11-game winning run in all competitions.
Barcelona boast a record of 12 wins, two draws and four defeats from their 18 La Liga matches this season, with 38 points enough to top the table on goal difference, but they have played a game more than both second-placed Atletico and third-placed Real Madrid, with the latter only one point behind ahead of the next set of fixtures in Spain’s top flight.
The Catalan outfit’s form earlier this season suggested that they could run away with the title this term, but they have only won one of their last six matches in the league, suffering three defeats in the process.
Hansi Flick’s side were stunned by Leganes last time out, suffering a 1-0 home defeat, and they have now lost their last two matches at their temporary home against Las Palmas and Leganes.
Barcelona are in an excellent position in the Champions League table, sitting second, three points behind leaders Liverpool, so it has been a very successful first half of the campaign, but another defeat on Saturday would be a huge setback and may see them end 2024 in third spot, which would be a disappointment considering what has occurred this term.
Not since February 2006 have Atletico managed to win an away league game against Barcelona, who are on a five-game winning run over the White and Reds, including a 1-0 success in the corresponding match last term.
Atletico have not scored a league goal against Barcelona since February 2022, while their last top-flight win over Saturday’s opponents was in October 2021, so it has been a struggle for the capital giants in this fixture of late.
Simeone’s side will enter the match in excellent form, though, having won each of their last 11 matches in all competitions, including their last six in the league against Las Palmas, Mallorca, Alaves, Real Valladolid, Sevilla and Getafe.
Alexander Sorloth came off the bench to hit the winner against Getafe last time out, with the result moving Atletico into second spot in the table, level on points with Barcelona, crucially with a game in hand.
Atletico have again been excellent defensively this season, only conceding 11 times, which is the joint-best record alongside Real Sociedad, while Antoine Griezmann, Sorloth and Julian Alvarez have 19 league goals between them in 2024-25.
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