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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
1Real Madrid32256170224881
2Barcelona32217464372770
3GironaGirona32215667402768
4Atletico MadridAtletico32194959382161
5Athletic Bilbao321610652302258
6Real Sociedad321312746341251
7Real BetisBetis32121284038248
8Valencia32138113534147
9Villarreal32119125155-442
10Getafe32913103844-640
11Osasuna32116153746-939
12Sevilla32910134145-437
13Las PalmasLas Palmas32107153039-937
14AlavesAlaves3298152838-1035
15Rayo Vallecano32713122739-1234
16Celta Vigo32710153747-1031
17Mallorca32613132638-1231
18CadizCadiz32413152245-2325
19Granada3239203361-2818
20Almeria32111203164-3314


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