5 reasons why Atletico Madrid will hand Barcelona their first defeat in La Liga

Atletico Madrid travel to Camp Nou to play their most important game of the season. They trail the table-toppers Barcelona by five points and with only 12 games remaining in the 2017-18 La Liga season, Atletico Madrid need a positive result to stay in touching distance of the Catalan giants in the La Liga standings.

Both teams are almost at their full strength and playing some exciting football at the moment. Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi are in stunning form for Barcelona while Antoine Griezmann and Diego Costa are in superb goalscoring mood for Atletico Madrid. Both teams had contrasting results in their previous fixtures. Atletico Madrid beat Leganes 4-0 while Barcelona drew with Las Palmas 1-1.

Without much ado, let’s take a look at the five reasons why the Rojiblancos will beat Barcelona at the Camp Nou.

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#5 Atletico Madrid galvanized by the return of Diego Costa

Diego Costa holds the key to Atletico Madrid's success this season

Once a La Liga title winner with Atletico Madrid, Diego Costa was superb for the Rojiblancos before his move to the English giants Chelsea during the summer of 2014. After a successful stint with Chelsea, where he won two Premier League titles, the Spaniard returned to Chelsea during the 2018 January transfer window.

Atletico Madrid struggled in his absence as they failed to win a major trophy since 2014. They were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League after the group stage and produced some inconsistent football this season.

Ever since his comeback, Atletico Madrid are unbeaten in La Liga. Goals have come easily after the return of Diego Costa. Atletico have scored 20 goals in nine games after his arrival, compared to 25 goals in 17 games without him.

#4 Form of Atletico Madrid and Antoine Griezmann

Griezmann scored four goals against Leganes

Atletico Madrid have brought themselves back into the title contention after a stupendous 2018. With eight wins and a draw in the nine La Liga games this year, Diego Simeone’s side is the top performing team in La Liga at the moment.

With seven goals in his last two league games against Sevilla and Leganes, Antoine Griezmann is back to his belligerent best. The Frenchman had a subdued start to the 2017-18 campaign but has hit form at the right time.

Antoine Griezmann had scored only five goals and assisted three in the first half of the 2017-18 season. But in 2018, the 26-year-old has scored 10 goals and assisted four more for his teammates.

#3 Atletico Madrid has the best defensive record in Europe’s top five leagues

Diego Godin is one of the best defenders in the world at the moment

If there is one team that can stop Messi & Co., it is definitely Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid. Simeone’s side is producing some stunning defensive displays in La Liga at the moment.

After 26 La Liga games this campaign, Atletico Madrid has allowed the opponents to score only on 11 occasions. No team in Europe’s top five leagues has conceded fewer goals than Atletico Madrid in the 2017-18 season.

The centre-back partnership of Jose Gimenez and Diego Godin has been in superb form, supported by Filipe Luis, Juanfran, Thomas and Saul Niguez. Jan Oblak deserves a special mention here for his heroics. The Slovenian is one of the best goalkeepers in the world at the moment and is having another stunning season with Atletico Madrid.

#2 Atletico Madrid's title hopes rest a lot on this game

Diego Simeone will be looking to clinch his second La Liga title with Atletico

FC Barcelona sit on top of the La Liga table with a five-point lead over Atletico Madrid at the moment. It was 11 points during the winter break but Atletico has pulled it back.

With only 11 La Liga games remaining in 2017-18 season after this fixture, a win for the Catalan giants will take their lead at the top of the La Liga table to eight points, almost guaranteeing them the league title.

A draw will keep things as it is but a win for Atletico Madrid will reduce the gap between them and Barcelona to two points and put them within a touching distance of the table toppers. This game means a lot more to Diego Simeone than to Ernesto Valverde. Atletico Madrid will put everything into the game as their title hopes rest a lot on securing these three points.

#1 Barcelona will be playing their second game after just 60 hours with a key UCL fixture following that after a week's time

Barcelona will be playing a mid-week fixture against Chelsea after the match against Atletico

At this time of the season, a lot more factors will play a role in the outcome of the games. With fixtures coming thick and fast, teams won’t have sufficient time to recoup their full strength and fitness.

After a disappointing 1-1 draw against Las Palmas on Thursday, Barcelona will be playing their next game on Sunday, in just 60 hours after the Thursday fixture. Atletico too played a midweek game but they will have an extra 24 hours rest for the crunch Sunday fixture.

Also, it’s advantage Atletico Madrid in La Liga after their UEFA Champions League exit. FC Barcelona go into the fixture with an eye on the UEFA Champions League second-leg game against Chelsea while Diego Simeone’s side have their complete focus on the game against Barcelona.