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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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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona87012591621
2Real Madrid85301761118
3Villarreal85211715217
4Atletico MadridAtletico8440124816
5Athletic Bilbao8422128414
6Mallorca842286214
7Osasuna84221213-114
8Real BetisBetis833287112
9Rayo Vallecano824298110
10Celta Vigo83141515010
11AlavesAlaves83141112-110
12GironaGirona8233911-29
13Sevilla8233810-29
14Real Sociedad822467-18
15Getafe814356-17
16Leganes814359-47
17Espanyol8215712-57
18Valencia8125513-85
19Real ValladolidValladolid8125417-135
20Las PalmasLas Palmas8035916-73


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