On Saturday night, Atletico Madrid host Barcelona at the Wanda Metropolitano, in what promises to be the biggest game of the weekend in La Liga.

ATLETICO MADRID

The Spanish champions have made an unconvincing start to their title defence in La Liga. A shock 1-0 defeat at struggling Alaves last weekend left Diego Simeone’s team fourth-place in the table.

However, on the flip-side, the home side still only trail leaders and arch-rivals Real Madrid by three points. The loss last time out was also Atletico’s first defeat in 12 matches in the Spanish top-flight.

The champions tend to be strong on home soil, as the men from Madrid are unbeaten in ten league matches at the Wanda Metropolitano. They have also suffered just one home defeat in their last 33 league matches.

BARCELONA

As expected after a summer of turmoil Barcelona have not had the best of starts to their La Liga campaign. However, despite the current doom around the Catalans giants, they are still to suffer a league defeat this season. They are also five points off league leaders Real Madrid, with a game in hand.

There has been disappointment at draws against the likes of Cadiz and Granada in La Liga though. Barcelona have been in decent away form of late, as the Blaugrana are unbeaten in six away games, having recorded three wins and three draws. Both of their away games this season have ended in draws.

Atletico have been difficult opponents for Barcelona in recent seasons, as the Catalan giants have failed to win any of the last four meetings while suffering two defeats.

Team News

Atletico Madrid are expected to be without French international winger Thomas Lemar.

Barcelona could be without a host of first-team players through injury, including Alex Balde, Sergi Roberto, Pedri, Jordi Alba, Sergio Aguero, Ousmane Dembele, Moussa Wague and Martin Braithwaite.