FC Barcelona-Atlético Madrid: Possible XI, prediction and how to watch LaLiga Santander 2020

Second will host third in a crucial clash as Barcelona welcome Atlético Madrid to a closed Camp Nou.

The two sides are separated by 11 points in the table, but Barcelona must win in order to keep up with title rivals Real Madrid. An Atlético victory — which would be the team’s first in LaLiga at Camp Nou since 2006 — would help the team inch closer to securing third place ahead of fading Sevilla.

Atleti defeated Barcelona in an intense, highly-dramatic Supercopa semifinal back in January, but lost the previous league fixture a month earlier. Los Colchoneros enter this match on a four-game winning streak, while the blaugrana — though unbeaten over the past six — have drawn their past two games.

With Stefan Savić suspended and Mario Hermoso a doubt to make the squad due to injury, Diego Simeone will pair Felipe Monteiro with José Giménez. The coach could spring a surprise in a Koke-less midfield, but chances are he will opt to reinsert the scorching Marcos Llorente and have him shuttle between the forward line and midfield with João Félix.

Possible XI Oblak; Arias, Giménez, Felipe, Lodi; Thomas, Herrera, Félix, Saúl; Llorente, Morata.

Prediction Atlético are surging and won’t necessarily feel the pressure that has been applied to this fixture in recent years as the team is relatively secure, third in the table. Barcelona are falling apart at the seams, with its second coach of the season under fire, its star center back sadly tweeting MGMT lyrics and its captain outright ignoring an assistant’s instructions. It’s all set up for Atleti to deal a death blow to Barça — but I’m not falling for it this time. 2-1 Barcelona.

My record on the season 23-20

Date June 30, 2020

Location Camp Nou, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Kickoff time 10:00 p.m. CET, 9:00 p.m. GMT, 4:00 p.m. EST, 1:00 p.m. PST

SB Nation opposition blog Barça Blaugranes

Available TV/streaming Movistar Partidazo (Spain), LaLiga TV (United Kingdom), beIN Sports (United States), ESPN2 Sur (Argentina), beIN Sports HD 1 (Saudi Arabia), ESPNPlay Caribbean (Guadeloupe), PPTV Sport (China)