The stand out fixture of Spain’s top flight this weekend can be none other than Barcelona’s trip to Atletico’s brand-new Wanda Metropolitano.
So far in the league things have been going well for the Madrid outfit in their new home with wins over Malaga and Sevilla on home turf already in the bank, however, now they face the stiffest visiting opponent of all in Barcelona.
Seven matches in to the new season and Barce head coach Ernesto Valverde has guided his side to seven straight wins and five points clear at the top.
However, what will be of more importance to the Barce faithful is that they sit a healthy seven points clear of arch rivals Real Madrid.
Could that winning run end this weekend?
According to recent head to head meetings between the two the simple answer is no. The last two times Barce visited the red and white half of Madrid, they went back to Catalonia with maximum points in the bag with Atletico boasting just one win in the sides last thirteen meetings in all competitions.
However, a new season brings new opportunity and That’s a goal’s football predictions suggest the tide could be about to turn.
For instance, much like their counterparts, Atletico are also unbeaten this campaign and after a rather sluggish start after drawing 2-2 with newly promoted minnows Girona, Diego Simeone’s men have gone from strength to strength despite a 0-0 draw prior to the international break with Leganes.
As expected with a Simeone team, defence has been tight and four goals conceded in their seven matches so far is only bettered by Sevilla (3) and of course Barcelona (2).
It seems that something is likely to give on Sunday night but the news that former hero Diego Costa officially completed his move back to Madrid has raised the atmosphere around the Wanda despite not being able to kick a ball in anger until January.
Big Results in Big Matches
There is one thing that certainly rides in Atletico’s favour and that is when the big occasion arrives, Atletico often deliver.
In the 2015/16 Champions League campaign, Atletico suffered a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona at the Camp Nou. However, in the return leg on Atletico’s home soil, a different story emerged.
A double from Antoine Griezmann sent Barcelona packing their bags on the tournament in the quarter final stage whereas Atletico made it all the way through to the final (where they subsequently lost to neighbours Real Madrid on penalties, but the less said about that the better).
Barcelona’s first trip to the Wanda Metropolitano is one such big occasion that Atletico love to get their teeth into.
Six red cards in the last seven matches mean will be in for a fiery affair but with Griezmann still in the squad and out to cause the Barce defence some pain, we could see Atletico repeat their feat of defeating Sevilla and claim another high-profile scalp as they continue their march up the La Liga table.
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andym
Founder and chief editor of La Liga Blog, Andy fell in love with Spanish football after a university placement year in the Costa Del Sol. His favourite Tapas is Albondigas and on Saturday afternoons, Andy can regularly be found trying to emulate his hero Carles Puyol for his amateur football team.