Atletico Madrid v Barcelona: La Liga’s top two meet in Metropolitano showdown

Atletico Madrid host FC Barcelona at the Metropolitano on Sunday evening in a direct battle between the top two sides in La Liga. Barcelona lead the table with 30 points, while Atletico Madrid are second on 28.

Diego Simeone’s side are mounting a serious title challenge after winning nine, drawing one and losing one of their 11 league matches. They also have Spain’s strongest defence, having conceded only eight goals.

Atletico have won their past seven league games, including a 2-1 victory over Real Madrid before the latest international break. However, they enter this fixture after a setback in Europe, losing 2-0 at home to Bayern Munich in the league phase of the Champions League on Tuesday.

The Madrid club eliminated Barcelona in last season’s Champions League quarter-finals, but Atletico have not beaten the Catalans in La Liga since December 2024. Barcelona, meanwhile, have avoided defeat away to Atletico in the league since October 2021.

Hansi Flick’s team saw an 11-match winning run at the start of the campaign ended by a 4-2 Champions League defeat by Paris Saint-Germain on 20 October. Five days later, they lost 2-1 at home to Real Madrid.

Barcelona have since responded with two emphatic victories. They beat Alaves 6-1 in La Liga before recording a 3-0 Champions League win at Aston Villa on Tuesday.

The reigning champions are the league’s leading scorers, with 46 goals from 11 matches – more than twice Atletico’s total of 22. Despite conceding fewer goals than any other side, Atletico face an attack that has made Barcelona favourites to retain the title.

Atletico will be without Cristian Romero, who has a muscle injury, and Johnny Cardoso, who is suffering from a thigh problem. Morten Hjulmand returns to the squad after missing the Bayern Munich match. Lee Kang-in is expected to come back into the starting XI alongside Julian Alvarez, who has scored only once in the league this season. The 25-year-old Argentina international will face the club he wanted to join this summer.

Barcelona are definitely without Dani Olmo, who has an adductor injury, Roony Bardghji, who has a knee problem, and Xavi Espart, who is injured in the ankle. Eric Garcia, Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen are doubts because of thigh, ankle and thigh injuries respectively.

Rodri suffered a hamstring injury against Aston Villa and is also unavailable, which could allow Marc Bernal to start alongside Pedri in midfield. Brian Farinas is expected to keep his place at right-back, while Anthony Gordon could feature in attack with Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.

A draw, such as 1-1 or 2-2, is considered possible, but Barcelona’s attacking strength and recent record at the Metropolitano point towards a narrow away victory. The prediction is Barcelona to win 2-1.

The listed selections are a Barcelona win at 1.65, both teams to score and more than 2.5 goals at 1.45, and Raphinha to score at 1.75. The proposed correct-score bet is 1-2 at odds of 8.00 with Betclic.