PREVIEW | Atlético Madrid v FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona's season got off to a record-breakingly brilliant start, with nine straight league victories, all by two or more goals. Which makes it all the more extraordinary to think that, should they lose this Sunday's 9pm CET kick-off at the Metropolitano, it will be Atlético Madrid who go into the next international break as league leaders.
It's Barça's job to make sure that doesn't happen on one of the toughest away trips in European football. Victory would put five points between themselves and Atlético, who currently trail Hansi Flick's side by just two points, and would also keep Real Madrid at bay, who won 3-0 at Valencia in Saturday night to draw level with Barça on 30 points.
The blaugrana come into the game in buoyant mood after a 6-1 win over Alavés in La Liga and Tuesday's 3-0 Champions League victory against Aston Villa.
Atlético form guide
Diego Simeone's side have been in tremendous domestic form, winning their last seven league matches, including a 2-1 victory over Real Madrid. With nine wins, one draw and one defeat from 11 games, Atlético have the best defensive record in La Liga, having conceded just eight times.
Their Champions League campaign has been less convincing, however, and they go into Sunday's game following a 2-0 home defeat to Bayern Munich.
With Julián Álvarez, Alexander Sørloth and Ademola Lookman among their attacking options, Atlético pose a formidable challenge. But Barça have scored a remarkable 46 goals in just 11 league games, a tally surpassed at this stage of a Spanish league season only by Athletic Club in 1930/31, with 49.
Head to head
There is unfinished business between these sides after Atlético eliminated Barça from both the Copa del Rey and the Champions League last season. The blaugrana did win 2-1 at the Metropolitano in the second leg of their European quarter-final, but it was Atlético who progressed 3-2 on aggregate.
The recent league record in Madrid, however, favours Barça. They have won on each of their last four league visits to Atlético and could become only the third team to record five consecutive away league victories against the colchoneros.
And the teams will not have to wait long for their next meeting. Atlético visit Spotify Camp Nou on Wednesday 2 December for a league fixture brought forward because of the Spanish Super Cup.
Team news
Barça remain without Dani Olmo, Roony Bardghji and Xavi Espart through injury, while Rodrigo Hernández is also unavailable after being forced off against Aston Villa.
There is better news concerning Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen, with Hansi Flick confirming that both will be with the squad for Sunday's game.
Atlético, meanwhile, are without the injured Cristian Romero and Johnny Cardoso.
Hansi says
Hansi Flick is fully aware of the importance of Sunday's meeting between the top two, but insists that the title race is a long one.
"We know they're a fantastic team with a great coach, but we'll give everything to win tomorrow. There's still a long way to go in the league."
The German coach is also refusing to dwell on last season's cup eliminations at Atlético's hands.
"The past isn't relevant. We know they're very good, but we want to win and we have to win. We want to be leaders going into the break, and that's why we've worked hard."