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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
CReal Madrid36296183226193
2Barcelona36247574433179
3GironaGirona36236775453075
4Atletico MadridAtletico36234967392873
5Athletic Bilbao361711858372162
6Real Sociedad361512949371257
7Real BetisBetis36141484843556
8Villarreal36149136060051
9Valencia36139143740-348
10Getafe361013134151-1043
11AlavesAlaves36119163445-1142
12Sevilla361011154750-341
13Osasuna36118174054-1441
14Las PalmasLas Palmas36108183246-1438
15Rayo Vallecano36814142944-1538
16Celta Vigo36910174254-1237
17Mallorca36715142941-1236
18CadizCadiz36614162549-2432
RGranada3649233770-3321
RAlmeria36211233572-3717


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