Preview: FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are all set to lock horns in Camp Nou on Saturday

FC Barcelona will host Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain on Saturday. Barcelona one more time upon themselves if they win they will pass over the league leaders to summit the top. Plus it will put enormous pressure on Real Madrid, who also face a season-definer of their own against fourth-place Sevilla. Atletico who have not won an away game at Barcelona since 2006 will look to overturn it this time possibly.

After 34 matches, Barcelona has secured 23 victories, five draws, and six losses, and they have scored 80 goals which are the highest in La Liga, besides conceding 33 goals. Barcelona holds the best goal difference of +47. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid won 23, lost four, and drawn seven games so far, they are top of the pile, having collected 76 points, Atletico have scored 61 goals and conceded 22 goals a fewest in La Liga.

Blaugrana will have to win in order to go on top by pressing the League leaders, who are leading them with 2 points, if they can win over Los Colchoneros they will go one point clear and top of the table. Meanwhile, the visitors will look to take a lead of 5 points clear from Barcelona who is at third as of now before the clash in the points table. And Colchoneros have a chance to take a gigantic step towards their first La Liga title in 7 years.

Diego Simeone will have to make sure his 34-year-old forward Suarez is supported adequately. Llorente who nominally partners Suarez will be playing alongside him as Simeone trusts his gameplay and Suarez would be looking to grab his 20th goal of the season against his former club who is close to his heart.

Koeman on Luis Suarez

“It will be a little bit awkward for him and our players because he played here for a long time but we’re professional and everyone will try to do the best for their team. I don’t think we need to focus too much on this. We need to concentrate on him but also the rest of the team.”

 

PlAYERS MIGHT MISS OUT 

Barcelona Outs & Doubts: Ansu Fati, Philippe Coutinho, Matheus Fernandes (out)

Atlético Outs & Doubts: José Giménez, Renan Lodi (doubt)

POSSIBLE LINEUPS PLAYING 11

Barcelona (3-5-2): Ter Stegen, Araujo, Pique, Lenglet, Dest, De Jong, Busquets, Pedri, Alba, Messi, Griezmann

Atlético (3-5-2): Oblak, Savic, Gimenez, Hermoso, Trippier, Llorente, Koke, Lemar, Carrasco, Correa, Suarez