Barcelona hosts Atlético Madrid on Saturday in a match that could play a role in determining this season’s La Liga title. The Catalans will be recovering from their disappointing 1-0 loss to Leganés in their previous league game, which left them with their most sensible player status. Most sensitive vulnerable table.
On the other hand, Diego Simeone’s team beat Getafe 1-0 in their last match. It is their eleventh consecutive victory in all competitions and puts them on the verge of having problems with Barcelona in the standings. However, they have been second in the La Liga standings lately due to a decrease in the difference in purposes.
STREAM:Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid LIVE in US on ESPN+
The Sporting News examines the key takeaways ahead of this clash, adding how to watch the game, kick-off times and the latest lineup news.
Here’s how to watch this La Liga match in the United States:
TV Channel: —Live streaming: ESPN+, ESPN app
This game is not available for live TV streaming in the United States. Streaming features are available on the ESPN and ESPN app.
WATCH:Best of La Liga action LIVE on ESPN+
This La Liga clash takes place at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona, Spain and will begin on Saturday, December 21 at 9:00 p. m. local time.
This is what it was like in the United States:
Barcelona will have teenage superstar Lamine Yamal with an ankle injury, which will keep him out until early 2025.
Hansi Flick’s men have failed to win any of the 4 league games the 17-year-old has already missed in 2024/25, and Fermin Lopez could replace him in the XI.
Andreas Christensen, Ansu Fati, Marc Bernal and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are all injured, but the main ongoing absence is coach Flick, who is serving the second game of a two-match La Liga suspension.
Barcelona predicted XI (4-3-3, right to left): Pena (GK) — Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde — Olmo, Casado, Pedri — Lopez, Lewandowski, Raphinha
Injured: Bernal, Christensen, Ter Stegen, Fati, Lamine Yamal.Suspended: None
Simeone has shown fresh injuries of his own and is likely to remain with a squad unchanged from last weekend’s 1-0 draw against Getafe.
Alexander Sorloth can stay on the bench, despite this winning goal, with Julián Álvarez and Antoine Griezmann perfectly recovered.
Atletico Madrid predicted XI (4-4-2, right to left): Oblak (GK) — Llorente, Gimenez, Lenglet, Galan — Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Lino — Alvarez, Griezmann.
Injured: NoneSuspended: None
Barcelona have won their last five La Liga games against Atlético Madrid and could break a record if they win the next clash.
However, it may not be easy for Flick’s team, as Atlético Madrid come into this match in top form, while Barcelona have shown cracks in their armor recently.
This clash will most likely end in a close draw, with the two groups splitting the spoils.
All times ET
Friday, December 20
Saturday, December 21
Sunday, December 22
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Abhinav Nair is a content creator for The Sporting News that is published in editions.