PREVIEW | FC Barcelona v Atlético Madrid

Games between FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid are always huge affairs, but the 9pm CET kick-off at the Estadi Olimpic on Saturday is even more massive than usual. Not just because it's between two of the biggest teams in the league. and not just because it comes just a few days before Christmas and is the last game of 2024. But because it is between the two teams that are currently first and second in La Liga, and who are coming into the game in strikingly different form.

How it stands

Just six games ago, on November 3, Atlético were fourth in the league and 13 points adrift of runaway leaders Barça. Although their defeat away to Betis the week before had been their first loss of the season, their title hopes were already fading fast.

But since then Diego Simeone's side has won every game, while Barça have only managed a single victory at Mallorca. The other games have resulted in defeat at Real Sociedad, draws with Celta and Betis, and worst of all, losses at home to both Las Palmas and Leganés. Of 18 very gettable points, Barça have only collected five, and although they are still top of the table, the position is a lot more delicate than it was just a few weeks ago.

Atlético are now matched on 38 points with the Catalans, and it is only goal difference that splits the two. Even more worryingly, Atlético have a game in hand. And Real Madrid are just a point behind the front two (and also have a game in hand over Barça). They host Sevilla on Sunday at 4.15pm CET.

A win on Saturday would certainly ease the pressure going into the festive break. And much as this is a tough game against the most in-form side in Europe (11 wins in a row in all competitions), Hansi Flick has rightly observed the paradox that it is against the bigger teams that Barça have been performing best this season. Time to do it again!

Team news

But Barça are going to have to do it without Lamine Yamal. The recent Golden Boy winner picked up an ankle problem against Leganés and won't be playing for a few weeks. Other than Marc-André ter Stegen and Marc Bernal, both of whom are probably out for the season, the only other injury concern is Andreas Christensen. The much-missed Dane is fast on the road to full recovery, but not in time for this match.

It was also revealed at the last minute that Hector Fort has developed a hamstring issue and he has been dropped from the squad announced on Saturday morning.

The good news was that Ansi Fati was declared fully fit on Friday and will be able to feature in this one if selected by Flick, who himself will be unable to take his usual seat on the bench due to suspension. Ronald Araujo is in the squad again, although he is still unused since returning to match fitness.

Atlético are relatively injury-free right now. They are only missing striker Borja Garcés, who hasn't featured this season but is very close to a return. French midfielder Thomas Lemar has been out with a muscle injury, but the word is that he is back and ready to go.

With former blaugrana Antoine Griezmann in strong form right now, Julián Álvarez also performing well, and Alexander Sorloth having scored 24 league goals in 2024 (including those at Villarreal last term), there is a lot for the Barça defence to worry about on Saturday. In fact, the only player to have scored more goal this year is out own Robert Lewandowski with 27.

With the likes of Marcos Llorente, Rodrigo de Paul and another ex-Barça man Clément Lenglet also in the team, the red-and-whites are coming to Barcelona with a very lively set of players. This is going to a cracking game of football.

Head to head

If history is anything to go by, then Barça have every right to feel confident of taking three very important points out of this game. They have won all five of their last league meetings with the mattress-makers. As the visiting side Atlético have failed to win any of their last 18 games with the Catalans (five draws and 13 defeats), a run going back to 2006.

In fact, Atlético haven't managed to muster a single goal against Barça since February 2022. That's all very positive. On the negative side, recent Barça results are a reminder that performances in years go by count for nothing once the referee blows for kick-off.

What they're saying

"Atlético have won eleven games in a row" said manager Hansi Flick on Friday. "So this will be a difficult game. But I wouldn't call it a 'final'. Saturday's result won't decide the league, because the season is long and we have to continue working." FULL STORY HERE

Defender Pau Cubarsí also shared his thoughts ahead of Saturday's showdown, vowing that the teams are ready "to give it our all":

And midfielder Pedri said that "we want a win in this game to be a Christmas present":