'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Atletico Madrid defence has been solid
As is characteristic of Atletico Madrid under Cholo Simeone, they have been rock-solid at the back so far this season. The Rojiblancos have consistently been one of the best performing units in the Spanish top-flight ever since Diego Simeone took over at the helm and it looks set to remain that way this season as well.
Trending
In seven games so far this season, Atletico Madrid have only let in two goals. Felipe and Savic have been formidable at the back and without Ansu Fati in their lineup and Lionel Messi not hitting his stride so far, it won't be much of a surprise if Barcelona fail to get on the scoresheet even.
Though Barcelona have scored 15 goals from seven games this season, they have scored in abundance only against relatively weaker opposition. As such, this could be a tricky affair for Lionel Messi and company.
#2 Atletico Madrid have scored for fun and Barca defence is shaky
While they have only conceded two goals so far this season, what has actually made Atletico Madrid look like formidable title contenders is the fact that they have been scoring goals for fun as well.
Thanks to the scintillating form that Luis Suarez has been in and the occasional individual brilliance of Joao Felix, Atletico Madrid have no had much trouble finding goals this season.
They've scored a whopping 17 goals already this season at nearly three goals per game. Those are numbers that will worry a shaky Barcelona defence.
Barcelona's defensive woes have been well documented so far this season. They have let in eight goals from seven games and those are not the standards that Ronald Koeman would want his side to settle for.
#1 All pressure on Barcelona
Barcelona are presently eighth on the La Liga table with eleven points. They have so far registered just three wins, settled for two draws and have suffered two losses as well.
Both Barca and Atletico have two games in hand. However, Atletico are already third on the standings with 17 points. As such, if Atletico Madrid can walk away with a victory tonight, they will be nine points ahead of Barcelona.
That gap will only get wider given the form that the two teams are in. As such, the onus is in Barcelona to remain in the hunt and produce a performance that can heal a lot of wounds.
