Atletico Madrid could not be in better form coming into this clash, as they have won each of their last 11 straight games in all competitions – extending that run would see them leapfrog Barcelona in the league standings.

They have relied on out-scoring their opponents, as opposed to being a resolute defensive side – Atletico have scored 22 goals in their last 6 games.

Recently though, they conceded to Slovan Bratislava at home, and shipped 3 goals against Sevilla.

Barcelona will look to exploit such defensive weaknesses, and they certainly have the firepower to do so. Despite being held to a shock 1-0 loss against Leganes at home, the Catalans amassed 2.63 xG so were unfortunate not to bulge the net.

Javi Galan has operated in a left back role under Diego Simeone, playing the full 90 in each of his last 4 starts. In those games, he drew a total of 10 infringements, only failing against Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League. However, the Slovakians made just 4 fouls in total.

Galan is averaging 1.91 fouls drawn per 90, which rises to 2.17 when playing away.

He was voted Player of the Match last time out against Getafe, registering 8 tackles in total. He also drew 5 fouls, helping his side register a clean sheet.

He has a tendency to go down softly under contact, and buy cheap free kicks. Against a side like Barcelona who press strongly, that is ideal for him to draw at least 1 foul.

Pablo Barrios is averaging 1.4 fouls per 90 operating in the heart of midfield for Atletico Madrid this season, and has landed this selection in 11 out of 14 starts in all competitions.

In all of the 3 games he failed to hit, Atletico Madrid were comfortable winners in the game: 5-0 against Real Valladolid, 3-1 against Leganes and 3-0 against Girona. This match against Barcelona at home should be much tighter, especially away.

The 21-year-old should find duels against the likes of Robert Lewandowski (1.59 fouls drawn per 90), Dani Olmo (1.38 fouls drawn per 90) and Marc Casado (1.91 fouls drawn per 90), making this an ideal matchup to target Barrios infringements.

Julian Alvarez has seemingly settled into life in Spain after completing his move from Man City, netting 6 goals in his last 8 matches in all competitions.

The Argentinian is averaging 1.96 shots per game this season, which is the highest of any Atletico player.

That rises to 2.08 shots when playing away, where Alvarez seems to perform better. He has scored 9 goals on the road, compared to just 4 at the Metropolitano.

In addition, Alvarez has scored 5 goals in his last 4 away appearances, landing this bet comfortably in all of those.

He is set to lead the line once more for Diego Simeone, aiming to capitalise on a lacking Barcelona defence who have kept just 1 clean sheet in their last 10 games in all competitions.

Marc Casado was fouled 3 times last time out against Leganes as the Catalans succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at home.

The Spaniard has landed this selection in 5 of his last 6 matches in all competitions.

Casado seems to draw more fouls at home, when Barcelona have more possession of the ball. The La Masia graduate is averaging 2.64 fouls drawn per 90 at home this campaign, landing this selection in 5 out of 8. In all 3 misses, he drew exactly 1 foul, so went close.

Casado is contesting 10.43 duels per 90 for Barcelona this season, 2nd to Lamine Yamal. He will be up against an aggressive Atletico side who will look to put the 21-year-old under pressure.

Antoine Griezmann has been in fantastic form recently, and a key contributor to Atletico’s upturn in form. Diego Simeone’s men have won each of their last 11 straight matches in all competitions.

Griezmann has started 8 games in that run, and landed this selection in 5 of those. That includes registering an assist against PSG at the Parc des Princes in a 2-1 victory. He played the full 90 in that game, and is expected to see something similar in this massive clash at the top of the table.

The Frenchman recently netted back-to-back braces against Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League, and Sevilla in La Liga, to highlight his notable form.

Clement Lenglet found his opportunity to break into the starting lineup following injuries to Robin Le Normand and Cesar Azpilicueta earlier in the season. However, he has retained his spot even despite these players returning to full fitness, thanks to showing solid form at the back.

Lenglet has started 9 of the last 10 games in all competitions, featuring only in the second-half against Cacerano in the Copa del Rey.

In that time, he has registered a foul in 8 out of 9 starts.

For the season in total, Lenglet has landed a foul in 11 out of 12 appearances, averaging 1.67 fouls per 90. He will continue to be aggressive in his approach, and will likely find duels with Lewandowski which is ideal.

Lamine Yamal is set to miss this crucial fixture after picking up an ankle injury, which should lead to an increased responsibility in the final third for Dani Olmo.

The Spaniard has played just 1 game at home without Yamal this season, which was against Brest in the Champions League. In that game, Olmo registered 4 shots, with 2 on target, including a goal.

Olmo has generally performed better in front of a home support this term, netting 4 goals from 4 starts at the Olimpic Lluis Companys Stadium.

Olmo has landed a shot on target in 7 out of 10 starts this season in all competitions, and should operate in his familiar attacking midfield role.