Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Atletico Madrid, yet again, suffered heartbreak at the hands of Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League in midweek but they most now refocus on the title race in La Liga this week.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 16th March, 2025: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 4:00pm / US PT – 1:00pm
How to watch on TV: UK – ITV & Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – ITVX & Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Atletico Madrid Preview: Heartache in Europe again
In midweek, Conor Gallagher gave Atletico Madrid parity within 30 seconds of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie with city rivals Real Madrid but they eventually suffered defeat on penalties to Los Blancos with Julian Alvarez having a spotkick disallowed by VAR.
Los Rojiblancos suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Getafe in another Madrid derby last weekend with Jose Bordalas earning his first ever win over his coaching inspiration Diego Simeone with two late goals from Mauro Arambarri turning the game on its head at the Coliseum.
Barcelona Preview: Slick Blaugrana
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona didn’t play in La Liga at the weekend due to their game against Osasuna at Estadi Olympic Lluis Companys being postponed late in the day as a result of first-team doctor Carles Minarro Garcia passing away at the team hotel on the day of the game.
The Blaugrana remain at the top-of-the-table ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures but could start the game behind Real Madrid if Los Blancos avoid defeat at Villarreal on Saturday. Barca defeated Benfica by three goals to one to progress to the UCL last eight in midweek.
Atletico Madrid Team News: Angel Correa suspended
That game against Getafe saw Atleti take a late-ish lead via an Alexander Sorloth penalty but Angel Correa was then sent off late on to kickstart the Getafe turnaround. He is now missing through suspension for the hosts this weekend.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Oblak; Nahuel Molina, Jose Maria Gimenez, Lenglet, Javi Galan; Giuliano Simeone, De Paul, Pablo Barrios, Samuel Lino; Griezmann, Julian Alvarez
Unavailable: Angel Correa (Suspended)
Questionable: Lenglet (Fitness), Koke (Fitness)
Barcelona Team News: A few injuries
Barcelona travel to the Metropolitano with no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues as the Catalans have a few long-term injury absentees such as goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, defender Andreas Christensen and young midfielder Marc Bernal.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsi, Alex Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Unavailable: Ter Stegen (Injured), Christensen (Injured), Marc Bernal (Injured)
Questionable:
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona Prediction
Both of these sides had the chance of doing the treble but only Barcelona, of the two, can now do that, although a domestic double remains on the cards for Atletico. The two sides played out a thrilling 4-4 draw in the first-leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final the other week with the second-leg next month. Atletico may well use their hard-done-by mentality to launch into another attacking display this weekend and Barcelona are comfortably the highest scoring team in Europe so another thriller for the neutral may well be on the cards.
Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona Tip: Both teams to score
