Los Rojiblancos start the day in fourth position but are just three points below the Catalan giants and will go top with a win, thanks to the head-to-head record, which the Spanish Federation uses for clubs on equal points.
Atleti in top form
Diego Simeone's side is in fine form ahead of the match, unbeaten in 13 straight league games, which included an epic demolition of neighbours Real by a 5-2 scoreline.
In fact, the last time they were beaten in LaLiga was in the first game of the season, away in Catalonia against Barca's local rivals, Espanyol.
Barcelona are back at the Camp Nou after more than two years away, and have won both games played there thus far. However, in both matches, against Athletic Club and Alaves, their defence left a lot to be desired.
However, they have won all seven of their home league games this season, spanning three different stadiums: Estadi Lluis Companys, Estadi Johan Cruyff and Camp Nou.
Barca holds the edge in recent head-to-heads
In terms of the recent head-to-head record, Atleti are unbeaten in their last two visits, but have only won four games in all competitions since 2019. By contrast, Barca have won eight in the same time frame, and three games have ended in a draw.
In five of the last six meetings, the Catalans have only lost once, a 2-1 defeat at home in December 2024, and Hansi Flick will take heart in just how well his side is doing in terms of various metrics over the course of the current campaign.
For example, Barca are top in LaLiga for goals scored (39), shots on target (110), total passes made (8985) and passing accuracy (89%). They also place second for total shots (280) and shot conversion rate (19%).
Atleti have the most clean sheets in the league during 2025/26 (six), and the fewest goals conceded (11), so we could well see the standard Barca v Atleti fare of the unstoppable force against the immovable object.
Atleti's over-reliance on Alvarez
The visitors' heavy reliance on Julian Alvarez might actually be their undoing too if his teammates don't get involved at the sharp end.
The diminutive Argentinian, who has been rumoured to be interesting Barca before now, has the most league goals for his side this season (seven), the most total shots taken (31), the most shots on target (17), and the most chances created (27).
Barca will also have to pay more than cursory attention to their former player, Antoine Griezmann, however.
The Frenchman's in-game intelligence is unparalleled, and with the hosts having so much trouble keeping their high defensive line tight and organised, Griezmann is precisely the sort of player who will take advantage.
Lewandowski, Lamine and Raphinha set to cause problems
In terms of Barca's output, they've shared the load somewhat. Robert Lewandowski remains the top scorer with eight goals, whilst Lamine Yamal has the most assists (seven) and the most total shots (48).
Lewandowski and Ferran Torres have managed 16 shots each on target, and despite being out for a few games with injury, Pedri still rules the roost in terms of passing. The elegant midfielder has created the most chances (27) and played the most passes (923).
Both the opening and closing 15 minutes in the game could provide the best action, as it's in that period of games that both teams are at their most lethal. Barca are at their most vulnerable in the quarter hour leading into the break, whilst Atleti's weak points appear to be exposed in the final 15.
Los Rojiblancos have also become the first team in LaLiga history to score first in all of their 14 league games in the current season.
“I wish this would win you a title, but it won’t," Diego Simeone commented after the recent win over Real Oviedo. "It’s a compliment. Any further comments will depend on what we do against Barca.
“We won a match we had to win, and now comes a very tough one, a difficult one, against an opponent we know very well and who has enormous potential, even more so with the return of Pedri and Raphinha. We’ll face a very tough opponent.”
Goals are virtually guaranteed in this one as it's been 18 league games since the visitors last contested a goalless draw, and an astonishing 63 since Barcelona were involved in one.
Having Raphinha back certainly gives the host a different dynamic too, and his man-of-the-match showing against Alaves included two assists as well as proving to be a threat throughout.
“Rafa is a player who is dynamic. We missed him," Flick said after the match.
Robin Le Normand and Marcos Llorente will be big misses for Atleti, whilst Ronald Araujo's illness keeps him out for Barca, who are also without Fermin Lopez and Gavi.
