Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona preview

January 10, 2014
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Barca vs AtleticoAll eyes will be on Vicente Calderon this weekend as high-flying Atletico Madrid battle mighty Barcelona for La Liga supremacy.

The mere fact los Colchoneros sit tied on points with their more illustrious opponents speaks volumes about their performances in the first part of the campaign, but this is where they can make a real statement of their title ambitions.

Even if Atletico have been on the constant rise ever since Diego Simeone took over the reigns at Vicente Calderon, not too many people believed the team would be able to mount a serious title challenge this season.

Nevertheless, los Colchoneros managed to impress in all the competitions entered and they could easily make this one of their most successful seasons in recent years.

With Barcelona still the number one candidates for the league title, Atletico need to try and win this game if possible and create a three-point advantage at the top, which is not going to be easy.

However, given that Diego Simeone’s charges have won 13 successive fixtures at home since sharing spoils with the Catalans in the Spanish Super Cup first leg, there may be value in odds of 3.50 (5/2) offered on home win.

Meanwhile, Diego Costa may not have scored in his last two matches but with 19 goals already to his name, the Spain international is 2.38 (11/8) to end his short drought.

Diego Simeone has received some good news in the build up to the match of the season as Diego Godin fully recovered from a thigh problem, while Juanfran Torres is also available as the Competition Committee considers the yellow card he received against Malaga.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Courtois – Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Filipe Luis – Koke, Gabi, Tiago, Turan – Costa, Villa.

With new coach arriving just before the season started and superstar Lionel Messi missing quite a few games through injury, Barcelona have reason to be satisfied with their results up to date.

They may not have been able to create an advantage at the top of La Liga, but they are five points clear of arch rivals Real Madrid and still remain hot favourites for the title.

Alexis Sanchez, Cesc Fabregas and Pedro have all done brilliantly to compensate for the absence of Lionel Messi, meaning Tata Martino faces a real selection headache, now that the Argentine has returned.

After scoring a brace in the Copa del Rey clash against Getafe, Messi is 2.00 (1/1) to score against Atletico Madrid as well, with Barcelona 2.25 (5/4) to claim maximum points.

Chances are the Argentine will be recalled to the starting line-up, and while Neymar has also recovered from illness, he may have to settle for a place on the bench.

Tata Martino has no other injury worries at the moment, although back-up players Afellay, Dos Santos and Oier are out.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Valdes – Alves, Pique, Bartra, Alba – Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta – Pedro, Messi, Sanchez.

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