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Barcelona logo
La Liga
Jan 11, 2015 at 8pm UK
 
Atletico Madrid logo

3-1

Neymar (12'), Suarez (35'), Messi (87')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Mandzukic (57' pen.)

Preview: Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid

Sports Mole previews the La Liga showdown between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona striker Lionel Messi is expected to start against Atletico Madrid on Sunday despite doubts emerging about his future at the club.

Reports have suggested that Messi is open to a move away from Camp Nou after disagreements with coach Luis Enrique, but after the Argentine returned to the starting lineup against Elche on Thursday, he should feature against the La Liga champions.

Neymar is also likely to take his place alongside Messi and Luis Suarez in attack, while Andreas Iniesta could start after remaining on the bench in midweek.

Despite the reported unrest at the club, the Catalan giants sit just one point behind leaders Real Madrid in the league standings.

After an ineffective performance in the Copa del Rey in midweek, Fernando Torres is likely to find himself on the substitutes' bench on Sunday night.

That should result in a return to the team for Mario Mandzukic, while Koke and Arda Turan may be recalled in place of Antoine Griezmann and Saul Niguez, but defender Miranda is an injury doubt.

After a setback against Villarreal, three successive wins have boosted confidence at the Vicente Calderon with the club now sitting just a point off first place.

Barcelona:

Form in La Liga: WWWDWL
Form in all competitions: WDWWLW

Possible starting lineup: Bravo, Pique, Bartra, Alba, Alves, Iniesta, Rakitic, Mascherano, Messi, Neymar, Suarez

Atletico Madrid:

Form in La Liga: WWWLWW
Form in all competitions: DLDWWW

Possible starting lineup: Oblak; Gamez, Godin, Gimenez, Siqueira; Suarez, Gabi; Koke, Garcia, Turan; Mandzukic

Sports Mole says: 1-1


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Antoine Griezmann of Atletico de Madrid celebrates scoring their opening goal during the La Liga match Levante UD on January 3, 2015
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves134181422-813
17Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179
20Valencia11146817-97


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