Barça can sew up LaLiga against Atlético Madrid this evening

FC Barcelona take on Atletico Madrid this Saturday in a match which feels like a final. If they claim victory over their nearest rivals, it essentially ties up LaLiga title for the hosts. This would then allow Barça to focus all their energy on reclaiming the Champions League, a trophy which has alluded them since 2015. Ernesto Valverde is expected to name the strongest side available to him.

A victory for Barça this evening would extend their advantage at the top of the table to 11 points and, with just 18 points left up for grabs, would all but guarantee the league title would remain at the Camp Nou.

With an opportunity to sew up the league, Valverde won't risk rotating his squad. Instead he'll back his first choice picks to do the business against Atletico and then take that momentum into the match against Manchester United on Wednesday.

possible starting line up

Marc-Andre ter Stegen will obviously start in goal. Semedo, Pique, Lenglet and Jordi Alba will line up in defence. Sergio Busquets and Rakitic will be the engine room of the midfield alongside Sergi Roberto. Up top, with Dembele still unavailable but most likely back for United, it'll be Messi, Suarez and Coutinho.

Cillessen and Murillo returned to the squad list but Arturo Vidal misses out due to suspension. Vermaelen is left out and Peña returns to Barça B now the Dutch stopper is back.

Atletico have to win if they have aspirations of winning the league. The only question mark hangs over Morata who is coming back from an ankle injury, but all signs point to him playing.

Diego Simeone has failed to win at the Camp Nou in his previous 11 visits. Another interesting sub plot will be the reaction Antoine Griezmann gets from the home supporters after turning down a move to Barça last summer via his famous 'La Decision' video-documentary.

STATS

Valverde's Barça, if they win, will claim their 50th victory in LaLiga. The coach's record currently reads, after 68 matches, as follows: 49 wins, 16 draws and just 3 defeats (Levante, Leganés and Betis); 178 goals scored and 60 conceded, seeing them claim 163 points in total.

Barça are also unbeaten in 18 matches, almost a full round of fixtures. Since losing to Betis (11th November 2018, gameweek 12) they haven't lost: 14 victories and 4 draws.

Messi will be involved in his 38th contest against Atletico. He's won 22 times, drawn 9 and lost just 6 (the last was on the 13th April 2016, in the Champions League). Leo has scored 28 goals against Atleti, averaging 0.73 per match.