PREVIEW | Atlético Madrid v FC Barcelona

Atlético Madrid v FC Barcelona has always been a red-letter day on the Liga fixture list, and this Sunday's 9pm CET kick-off is no exception, between two teams that have just secured their respective places among the best eight in Europe, and both against Italian opposition, the Catalans with what was eventually a relatively comfortable win over Napoli and the red-and-white in a penalty shootout against Inter Milan.

Barça have finally hit the kind of form that has been missing for so much of the season, for as well as their success in Europe, they have collected 17 points from a possible 21 in the league. Sadly, as long as Real Madrid keep winning, then there is nothing that they can do to close the gap on the Liga leaders, and the all-whites did it again on Saturday, winning 4-2 at Osasuna, and looking strong in the process.

That means that the best Barça can hope for this weekend is to maintain the difference of eight points, but the game does present the opportunity to move ahead of Girona, who lost 1-0 at Getafe, and therefore into pole position in the race against their fellow Catalan side for a Spanish Super Cup berth.

Fortress Metropolitano

And winning at the Civitas Metropolitano is never an easy task, and even more so this season. Apart from a 3-3 draw with Getafe, Atlético have won every single game that they've played at home this league season. It's their away form that's been letting them down, with just two miserable points to show from their last nine road trips, including an uninspiring defeat at Cadiz a week ago. Because of that, instead of battling for bigger honours, the mattress-makers are locked in a tight contest with Athletic Club for the fourth Champions League berth.

It should also be noted that although Barça currently look safe enough in third, an Atlético victory would close the gap between the two to just three points.

Familiar faces

So, as we move into the business end of the competition, both teams desperately need the three points from what promises to be a high octane clash, with the added interest of Joao Felix returning to his parent club in a blaugrana jersey. The Portuguese star looked especially motivated when facing Atlético at the Estadi Olimpic earlier this season, scoring the only goal of the game, and we may well get to see more of the same on Sunday. In contrast, two of the biggest dangers in the opposing ranks are former Barça men in Antoine Griezmann (if finally declared fit) and Memphis Depay, both of whom have been in fine form of late.

Barça have had the upper hand in this fixture in recent times and are chasing what would be a fifth win in a row against Atlético. But they haven't come easy. The last three meetings have all been excruciatingly narrow 1-0 wins. At least on paper, this Sunday's clash is going to a tight one too. One thing is certain... it sure ain't going to be dull!

Team news

Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Gavi and Alejandro Balde are all still out injured, and Ferran Torres still isn't quite ready to feature, but Marcos Alonso has been included again after injury. He is part of a 21 man squad named by Xavi that sees Cancelo miss out due to a knock.

For the home side, Griezmann is carrying an ankle problem, although that didn't stop him from playing against Inter on Wednesday. And with Jose Gimenez and Thomas Lemar certainly absent, Atlético may also have to make do without Mario Hermoso, who has been having trouble with his thigh. And injuries aside, after an extremely draining 120 minutes midweek, Diego Simeone may consider other rotations.

Xavi says

For Xavi Hernández, Sunday's game is a "vital one, like all the ones that remain because we need to pick up points in the league. The game is against a Champions League rival and they showed that the other day, a really tough away game and I think both sides are in good form. I am sure it will be a great game and let's hope we can pick up three points although I don't think they have lost at home in the league since we won there last season."