LA LIGA PREVIEW: BARCELONA VS ATLETICO MADRID

A heavyweight clash at home to prove title winning credentials.

Probably for the first time this season, the most in-form team heading into a La Liga clash at the Camp Nou isn't the home team. Barcelona have endured some trying times as of late, failing to win (or score in) their last 3 games in all competitions. Their last two league outings ended in a goalless stalemate, and the performances were a bit wishy-washy. Thankfully, some key players have returned from injury, which may be the reason Barcelona could win this clash.

Their opponents, Atleti, haven't lost a league game since the last time these two met, at the Wanda, where Barça won 0-1. They've won their last 6 games in seemingly comfortable fashion, and they suddenly look like they could take advantage of any slip up Real Madrid might have for second position. They will fancy their chances at the Camp Nou, especially if Antoine Griezmann, arguably the most in-form player in La Liga right now, has anything to say about it.

INTERESTING STATS

- Barcelona have a historical advantage over Atletico Madrid with 97 victories in 222 matches played, compared to Atletico’s 75 wins.

- Barcelona’s home record against Atletico Madrid is impressive having been unbeaten in their last 16 games in the league.

- The Catalan giants have drawn their last two La Liga matches 0-0, and they have not played three consecutive goalless draws in the competition since 2016.

- Atletico Madrid are in excellent form, winning their last six matches in La Liga.

Last five meetings

21/11/20 (LIGA) Atlético 1 Barça 0

8/5/21 (LIGA) Barça 0 Atlético 0

2/10/21 (LIGA) Atlético 2 Barça 0

06/02/22 (LIGA) Barça 4 Atlético 2

08/01/23 (LIGA) Atlético 0-1 Barça 

TEAM NEWS

Barcelona

There has been some good news in the Barça camp as of late, as Pedri and Frenkie DeJong have returned from injury and have made the Squad list. Ousmane Dembele and Andreas Christensen are also very close and should feature against Vallecano and/or Betis. Sergi Roberto remains sidelined with a hamstring strain. 15 year old wonderkid Lamine Yamal also earned his first team call up. Wouldn't it be exciting to see him have some minutes in this game?

Marc Andre TerStegen, Kounde, Araujo and Balde are sure of starting, with Alonso probably filling in for Christensen. Pedri and Frenkie could very well walk into the starting XI and join Gavi and Busquets in midfield. Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha will form the attack, along with Pedri/Gavi overlapping forward. Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres remain attacking options on the bench.

Atletico Madrid

Diego Simeone will be without the services of former Barça man Memphis Depay, who is out injured, and Reinildo, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season. Midfielders Marcos Llorente and Geoffrey Kondogbia are out due to suspension. Meanwhile, they could have a boost as Stefan Savic is expected to return to the mix.

Jan Oblak will start in goal. The back three will feature Savic, Jose Maria Gimenez, and Mario Hermoso. Nahuel Molina and Yannick Carrasco will feature in the midfield five, along with Koke, Rodrigo De Paul and Pablo Barrios. Antoine Griezmann and one of Ángel Correa or Alvaro Morata will lead the attack.

Where are Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid playing?

Location: Barcelona, Spain

Stadium: Camp Nou

Date: Sunday 23 April

Kick-off Time: 15:15 BST / 10:15 ET / 07:15 PT/ 15:15 🇳🇬

Referee: Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez

A gigantic clash that should provide loads of entertainment, but Barcelona will have to bring their A game for this one. Atletico Madrid are in red hot form, any slip ups from the home side could prove catastrophic.

LA LIGA PREVIEW: GETAFE VS BARCELONA

Barcelona travel to the Coliseum in Madrid to recoup 3 points and restore the lead to 13. 

Barça are currently on shaky grounds in terms of form and should be edging to return to winning ways as they make the journey to the ever dreaded Coliseum Alfonso Perez. 

Following the disappointing exit from the Copa del Rey, they played out a goalless draw at the Camp Nou against Catalan rivals Girona. With Real Madrid snatching up 3 points last night against Cadiz, and a home game against the vibrant Atleti up next, today's game is perfectly positioned to mark a return to form ahead of a very crucial run to the title.

Their opponents are as dogged as they come. Getafe are currently embroiled in the relegation battle, as they often are, but they have recently picked up form at home with 3 home wins on a spin coming into this one. They've always been difficult opponents for Barcelona, and with their own goals to fight for, they will be going all out for the 3 points.

INTERESTING STATS

-Barcelona have kept a clean sheet in seven of their last nine La Liga matches.

-Barcelona won seven of their last nine La Liga meetings with Getafe.

-Barcelona have failed to win and score in their last two visits to Getafe in La Liga (D1 L1).

-Getafe boasts three wins from their last three home games and is unbeaten in four.

-The hosts have avoided a defeat in seven of their last nine encounters.

TEAM NEWS

Getafe

Key central midfielder Mauro Arambarri has missed Getafe’s last five games with a muscle injury, and Sunday’s game would come too soon for him while forward Jaime Mata remains in the recovery room. Otherwise, coach Quique Sanchez Flores has no other problems.

Djene Ortega, Domingos Duarte, and Omar Alderete will sit in front of goalkeeper David Soria, with the wing-back duo of Damian Suarez and Cristian Portu completing the back five.

Nemanja Maksimovic and Luis Milla will look to screen the back-five to form a compact, counter-attacking shape. Their attack should consist of Enes Unal, Munir El-Haddadi, and Borja Mayoral.

Barcelona

The Catalans remain without Pedri, Frenkie, Christensen and Dembele, even though Xavi confirmed that most of them are ready to make a return.

Few changes will be expected from the lineup against Girona. Marc Andre TerStegen continues in goal, Araujo, Kounde, Eric and Balde should complete the defense.

 Roberto wasn't convincing in midfield against Girona and could be replaced by Kessie, even though the ivorian is a card away from potentially missing the game against Atleti. Busquets and Gavi complete the Midfield, while Torres may come in for Fati and join Raphinha and Lewandowski in attack.

Where are Getafe vs Barcelona playing?

Location: Madrid, Spain

Stadium: Coliseum Alfonso Perez

Date: Sunday 16 April

Kick-off Time: 15:15 BST / 10:15 ET / 08:25 PT, 15:15 🇳🇬

Referee: Juan Luis Pulido Santana

While Barcelona are favored to win here, Getafe can't be taken for granted. Both teams will be desperate for the win in order to achieve their varied goals, so it will come down to quality on the pitch, who takes the most chances and makes the least mistakes.