Atletico de Madrid host FC Barcelona at the Metropolitano on Sunday evening in a meeting between the top two sides in La Liga. FC Barcelona lead the table on 30 points, with Atletico Madrid two points behind on 28.

Atletico have not won the Spanish title since 2020-2021 and finished fourth last season, 25 points behind champions FC Barcelona. Diego Simeone’s side have made a strong start to the 2026-2027 campaign, however, recording nine wins, one draw and one defeat from their 11 league matches. They also have Spain’s best defensive record, having conceded only eight goals.

The Colchoneros have won their past seven league matches, including a 2-1 victory over Real Madrid before the last international break. Their preparations for this game were interrupted by a 2-0 home defeat by Bayern Munich in the league phase of the Champions League on Tuesday.

Atletico eliminated FC Barcelona in last season’s Champions League quarter-finals, but have not beaten the Catalan side in La Liga since December 2024.

FC Barcelona, meanwhile, have remained unbeaten away to Atletico in La Liga since October 2021. Their run of 11 consecutive victories at the start of this season ended on 20 October with a 4-2 Champions League defeat by Paris Saint-Germain. Five days later, they lost 2-1 at home to Real Madrid.

Hansi Flick’s team responded with back-to-back wins, overwhelming Alaves 6-1 in the league before recording a 3-0 Champions League victory at Aston Villa on Tuesday. FC Barcelona have scored 46 goals in 11 domestic matches, more than twice Atletico’s total of 22, and remain favourites to retain the title.

For Atletico, Cristian Romero is unavailable with a muscle injury and Johnny Cardoso is sidelined by a thigh problem. Morten Hjulmand returns to the squad after missing the Bayern Munich match. Lee Kang-in is expected to return to the starting line-up alongside Julian Alvarez, who has scored once in La Liga this season. The 25-year-old Argentina international will face the club he wanted to join this summer.

FC Barcelona will be without Dani Olmo (adductor), Roony Bardghji (knee) and Xavi Espart (ankle). Eric Garcia (thigh), Jules Kounde (ankle) and Andreas Christensen (thigh) are doubts. Rodri suffered a hamstring injury against Aston Villa and will also miss out, potentially allowing Marc Bernal to start alongside Pedri in midfield.

Brian Farinas is expected to retain the right-back position, while Anthony Gordon could join Lamine Yamal and Raphinha in attack.

The match pits La Liga’s strongest defence against its most prolific attack. A 1-1 or 2-2 draw is possible, but FC Barcelona’s attacking power and recent record at the Metropolitano point towards a narrow 2-1 victory.

The listed selections are FC Barcelona to win at 1.65, both teams to score and more than 2.5 goals at 1.45, and Raphinha to score at 1.75. The 1-2 correct-score prediction is priced at 8.00 with Betclic.