Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

Atletico Madrid face Barcelona in a huge La Liga clash on Saturday, with both clubs trying to build momentum ahead of an intense run of meetings in the league and Champions League.

They will meet again in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League in midweek with a spot in the semifinal on the line.

Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona – Match preview and team news

Atletico Madrid team news

Atleti have a few important absences heading into the game, with Johnny Cardoso and Marcos Llorente both suspended for the La Liga meeting.

There has also been concern over Alexander Sørloth, who picked up an injury setback during the international window and is considered a doubt for this match.

Also sidelined for the match are Jan Oblak, Rodrigo Mendoza, and Pablo Barrios, while Marc Pubil remains doubtful.

Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez are set to start in attack with Ademola Lookman providing support from the flank.

Alex Baena is expected to be included in the starting lineup in the absence of Cardoso.

Barcelona team news

Barcelona have confirmed that Raphinha will miss the league game against Atletico and the two Champions League meetings that follow. Marcus Rashford is the primary candidate to fill his spot on the wing.

Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde, both have recently returned to training after recovering from their respective injury issues and might return to the playing XI but they could yet be handled cautiously.

The good news for Hansi Flick is that Eric García is available again and should be part of the back line.

In midfield, Frenkie de Jong is expected to sit out this league encounter to focus on a European return in midweek, while the long-term absentee Andreas Christensen remains sidelined.

Young talent Marc Bernal is slated to continue his place in the starting XI alongside Pedri.

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Form

Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid, who are in fourth position in the league table with 57 points from 29 matches, comes to this match after back-to-back 3-2 defeats against Tottenham Hotspurs and Real Madrid in their last two outings. They will meet Barcelona three times in 10 days, once in the league and twice in the UCL quarter finals.

Barcelona

Barcelona lead the La Liga table by four points from second-placed Real Madrid with 73 points from 29 matches. After their back-to-back defeats in February against Atletico Madrid and Girona, they are now unbeaten in their last eight games in all competitions, which includes a 7-2 demolition of Newcastle in the Champions League last-16 second leg and a 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano in the league in their most recent encounters.

Predicted lineups

Atletico Madrid: Musso; Molina, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Koke, Baena, Lookman; Alvarez, Griezmann

Barcelona: J Garcia; Araujo, Cubarsi, E Garcia, Cancelo; Bernal, Pedri; Yamal, F Lopez, Rashford; Lewandowski

How to watch Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona?

Viewers in the UK can watch this match live on Disney+.

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