Ultimate Guide to La Liga Weekend: Barcelona, Atletico Madrid in Top-2 Battle
There's nowhere else to be on Saturday afternoon other than the Camp Nou, where the top two in La Liga will clash as Barcelona host Atletico Madrid.
The last two winners of Spain's top flight, the current top two and two of the favourites for success in Europe as well, not to mention the league's best two defences—this game has so many subplots and stories within that the discussions before and after the match could go on for longer than the 90 minutes of the game itself.
Will Arda Turan play against his old side? Can the league's most impressive attack break down the most impressive defence? Will there be more bookings than shots?
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There's so much to admire on both sides in terms of styles that work and the manner in which squads have been constructed, but they're also complete opposites in some terms, even aside from their general styles of play.
It's worth noting while Barcelona have just come off their transfer ban, Atleti are heading into theirs; as well as battling for La Liga this term, they will be wanting to continue a successful run while the ban is ongoing, something Barcelona managed in style in 2015.
The scenario at the top is pretty simple: Nothing is won on the day other than the points, but Atletico probably can't afford to let Barcelona win.
If Luis Enrique's men triumph and win their forthcoming game in hand, against Sporting Gijon on Feb. 17, they'll be six points clear at the top with a far superior head-to-head record, having already triumphed at the Vicente Calderon this season. A win is a huge ask for Diego Simeone and co., and the last time Atleti managed it in La Liga at the Camp Nou was in 2006.
It needs a history-making victory, but if they manage it, it could spur Los Rojiblancos on to another historic season overall.
Jornada 22 (kick-off times per Soccerway)
Saturday
Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid
Eibar vs. Malaga
Getafe vs. Athletic Club
Villarreal vs. Granada
Real Sociedad vs. Real Betis
Sunday
Sevilla vs. Levante
Valencia vs. Sporting Gijon
Las Palmas vs. Celta Vigo
Real Madrid vs. Espanyol
Monday
Deportivo La Coruna vs. Rayo Vallecano
What to Watch Out for this Weekend
Part 1: Espanyol Rolling over for Real
What's the opposite of a bogey team? Real Madrid are lucky enough to have a few of them in La Liga, and Sunday's opponents, Espanyol, are one.
Earlier in the season, Cristiano Ronaldo got his campaign up and running with a five-goal haul in a 6-0 win, while at the back end of last year, the game ended 4-1 at Cornella-El Prat. A 3-0 win in the first game last year—with Real only having 10 men for the second half—and heading back another year, another 3-1 success and a 1-0 victory. You get the idea.
The last time Espanyol beat Real in La Liga was way back in 2007, and in the 16 meetings since, the Catalonia-based club has taken a measly three points, conceding a whopping 45 goal in the process.
So who's for over 3.5 goals in Sunday's fixture?
Part 2: Gary Neville's 1st Liga Win
We've predicted this before and been wrong, but it's long enough now—Valencia are 10 matches without a win in La Liga, the last seven of those since Gary Neville took charge as head coach in early December.
In fairness, he has had injuries to deal with, as well as tricky fixtures against the likes of Real Madrid, Villarreal and Eibar, but chances to claim wins have also been spurned against lowly Getafe, an out-of-form Rayo Vallecano and, most recently, Deportivo La Coruna, who are themselves on a poor streak.
Playing at home to Sporting is about as low-key and pressure-free as Los Che could hope to have; a win for Sporting last time out reduces the absolute necessity for them to take points in this game (though would raise confidence), and Sporting have lost eight of their 11 games on the road this term.
Valencia are unbeaten at the Mestalla in La Liga this term, but as one of the league's draw specialists, they need to start converting one-point games into three.
With Real Betis, Espanyol and Granada to come in succession, Valencia could go on a bit of a run themselves, but they need that first win to begin with.
Player to Watch: Jan Oblak, ATM
What happens when an unstoppable force meets the strongest barrier known? We'll find out on Saturday, when Barcelona's MSN attack clicks into gear and faces Atletico Madrid's defence.
It's inevitable the front three will create some opportunities no matter how well Atleti play as a unit, and when that happens, it will be down to Jan Oblak to produce heroics. The Slovenian has certainly shown himself as capable of that this season; Atleti's phenomenal defensive record is as much down to his reflexes and assurance in aerial challenges as much as it is to the solid back four in front of him.
Oblak hasn't conceded in five Liga games and has only let in two in his last 11—almost 1,000 minutes of action—and it will take something special to beat him. That said, Neymar and Lionel Messi managed to do exactly that at the Vicente Calderon earlier in the season and also beat Oblak at the end of last term.
If Atleti's stopper comes up with an even better performance than usual, his team are in with a chance.
Game of the Weekend: Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid
Well, obviously. It is first vs. second after all.
Eibar vs. Malaga and Villarreal vs. Granada will be watchable for different reasons, but all eyes will be on the top two. The title won't be determined one way or the other—but indications as to which team has the mentality and consistency to take the crown absolutely.
Some of the league's finest players will be on show, the crowd will be full and the need for points will be enormous—neither wants the other to pull clear or allow Real Madrid back into the title race by slipping up.
Make sure not to miss it.
Predictions and Tips
- Home wins for Eibar, Villarreal, Sevilla, Valencia and Real Madrid.
- Away wins for Real Betis and Celta Vigo.
- Both teams to score in FCB-ATM, EIB-MGA, VIL-GRA, RSO-BET, VAL-SPO, DEP-RAY.
