Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona. Predicted line-ups and latest news

Today, on the 17th of March, the pivotal match of the 27th round of the Spanish La Liga will take place, in which Atlético Madrid will host Barcelona.

• Atlético Madrid vs Barcelona prediction and betting tips on March 17, 2024

Both clubs continue to chase Real Madrid, who sits at the top of the table. Yesterday's slip-up by Girona in their match against Getafe may allow Barcelona to finally surpass the sensation of the current season, led by Míchel Sánchez. Thanks to Athletic Bilbao's victory over Alaves yesterday, the Basques pushed Atlético down to fifth place. Winning today's match will enable Diego Simeone's charges to reclaim the fourth spot and close the gap with Barcelona to just three points.

Many renowned resources such as Sofascore, Fotomob, Besoccer and Whoscored have already put forward their assumptions about the possible starting line-ups of each team.

It is worth noting that both teams have some absences ahead of the match, with numerous players from both sides set to miss the game due to various reasons.

For Atlético, Vitolo, Mario Hermoso, Thomas Lemar, and José María Giménez will not be able to help on the field.

At Barcelona, four players are also sidelined, namely Alejandro Balde, Gavi, Pedri, and Frenkie de Jong. Additionally, the participation of Marcos Alonso and Ferran Torres in the match remains in doubt.

Regarding Atlético's starting lineup, sources are divided on the players for some positions. Jan Oblak will undoubtedly be in goal. In defense, he will be assisted by three players, one of whom will be Axel Witsel, while the other two remain uncertain. They could be Gabriel Paulista, Stefan Savic, Mario Hermoso, or Reinildo Isnard Mandava.

Diego Simeone will most likely deploy five midfielders, including Samuel Lino, Koke, and Rodrigo De Paul. The remaining two positions could be filled by Pablo Bariós, Marcos Llorente, Nahuel Molina, or Saúl Ñíguez. Antoine Griezmann and Álvaro Morata are expected to form the striking duo.

• Predicted Atlético Madrid line-ups:
  Oblak - Hermoso/Paulista/Reinildo, Witsel, Savic/Paulista/Hermoso - Lino, Bariós/Niguez, Koke, De Paul, Llorente/Molina - Griezmann, Morata

As for Barcelona's starting lineup, sources are divided on which position Rafinha will play, which will determine whether the player is deployed in midfield or attack.

In goal, Marc-André ter Stegen will undoubtedly stand guard. The defensive quartet will comprise João Cancelo, Pau Cubarsí, Ronald Araujo, and Jules Kounde.

In midfield, all sources hope to see İlkay Gündoğan and Andreas Christensen, but the identity of the third player in this line is not yet clear. According to Sofascore, it will be Rafinha, while other sources believe it will be Firmin Lopez.

In the attacking trio, Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski are likely to be joined by João Félix according to Sofascore, while other sources suggest it will be Rafinha.

• Predicted Barcelona line-ups:
  Ter Stegen - Cancelo, Cubarsí , Araujo, Kounde - Gundogan, Christensen, Lopez/Rafinha - Rafinha/João Félix, Lewandowski, Yamal

Sofascore

Fotomob

Whoscored

A reminder that the match between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona will take place today, the 17th of March, at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid. Kick-off is scheduled for 21:00 Central European Time.