The standout fixture in the latest set of La Liga matches will take place in the Spanish capital on Saturday night as Atletico Madrid welcome Barcelona to Wanda Metropolitano.
Atletico have been impressive in the league this season, picking up 17 points from their seven league matches to occupy third spot in the table, three points off the summit with two games in hand.
Diego Simeone's side are actually unbeaten in Spain's top flight since the start of February and will enter this game off the back of four straight league victories.
Barca recorded a 5-2 win over Real Betis before the international break, but the Catalan giants are currently down in eighth spot in the division, six points behind Atletico.
Incredibly, Los Rojiblancos have not beaten Barca in La Liga since February 2010, but the points were shared in a 2-2 draw when they last locked horns at Camp Nou at the end of June.
Some of the league's biggest talents will be on display in this game and with that in mind, Sports Mole picks a combined XI from both squads, using only players available for the contest.
In truth, the goalkeeping spot in this side was not too difficult to choose. There is no question that Barcelona's Marc-Andre ter Stegen is an excellent stopper, but the Germany international misses out to Jan Oblak, who has been one of the best goalkeepers in the world over the last few years. The 27-year-old has kept five clean sheets in seven La Liga appearances this term, conceding just twice.
Atletico's Kieran Trippier gets the nod over Barca's Sergi Roberto at right-back, with the former impressing since arriving from Tottenham Hotspur. Meanwhile, Jordi Alba is chosen ahead of Renan Lodi at left-back in what was a straightforward decision.
The two centre-backs were difficult to pick, but Gerard Pique is included despite some disappointing form for Barca during the 2019-20 campaign. Jose Gimenez is also chosen at the back, with the Uruguay international quickly developing into one of the outstanding centre-backs in world football. The 25-year-old missed the start of the season through coronavirus and fitness concerns, but he has played the full 90 minutes in Atletico's last two league matches against Osasuna and Cadiz.
Frenkie de Jong sails into the starting XI, with the Netherlands international becoming a key player for Barca since his arrival, while two Atletico players are chosen alongside him. Saul Niguez was always going to be in the side due to his quality and versatility, with the 25-year-old admired by the very best clubs in world football. The third midfielder is somewhat of a surprise choice, but Marcos Llorente has been excellent for Atletico this season, scoring four times and providing two assists in 10 appearances in all competitions. Llorente is given the nod over the likes of Miralem Pjanic and Koke to complete a midfield trio which has a good balance.
Lionel Messi has scored six times and registered four assists in 10 appearances for Barca this season despite the widespread speculation surrounding his future, and there is not a team in world football, or a combined XI, that the Argentine would not make, making him an obvious pick in this particular side.
Luis Suarez would have been in the side had the Uruguay international not been ruled out with coronavirus, meaning that there is also a spot for Antoine Griezmann. The Frenchman has been heavily criticised since arriving from Atletico, but he has now scored in his last two league appearances and is chosen ahead of the likes of Angel Correa, Ousmane Dembele and Pedri to feature in this side.
The final spot in the XI goes to Atletico attacker Joao Felix, who has scored seven times and registered three assists in 10 appearances at club level this season. Five goals in seven league outings is an indication of his improvement in 2020-21, and the 21-year-old certainly has the talent to become one of the top players in world football.
Matt Law
