Barcelona looked like they would stroll to the La Liga title this season, but with their recent dropped points have seen them come under pressure from Atletico Madrid and this game is the ultimate test that would show if Diego Simeone’s men are pretenders or challengers.
Lionel Messi helped Barca tear Girona apart last weekend, but they failed to follow that up with another win at Las Palmas as they were held to a 1-1 draw. They cannot afford to lose against Atleti here as they would blow the title race open. They have a good record against the visitors from Madrid as they have not lost at home to Atleti in over 10 years even since Diego Simeone became their manager. They have the best home record in the league this season with 2.67 points collected on average at the Camp Nou.
Messi has scored 4 goals in his last 3 games, averaging a goal every 95 minutes and he could be the difference maker here again.
Atleti head into this game in stunning form, they have won their last two games by scoring 9 goals within a week, with Antoine Griezmann netting a hattrick in both games, including all four against Leganes. His partnership with Diego Costa is becoming very lethal. Greizmann is expected to join the Catalans next summer and this game provides the perfect stage for him to show them what he can do.
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