5 key battles to look out for as Barcelona hosts Atletico Madrid

Of course, the rivalry towards Los Colchoneros and the Blaugrana isn't as deep as when it comes to Real Madrid, but the importance of this fixture is far from being underestimated.

As a clash between the top two teams in the league, it promises to be a mouthwatering fixture.

Diego Simeone's men have failed to beat Barcelona in the last 17 games at the Nou Camp and will look to break the streak.

Personally, the Atletico boss has a rather shambolic record against the Catalans in the league (8 draws & 4 losses). Added to that, Barca's record of only 2 losses in the last 24 home games will do little to ease the pressure for Atletico Madrid.

However, the facts that they emerged unscathed with a 1-1 draw against the Catalans earlier in the league and have lost only once in the tournament is bound to give them the much-required optimism.

Coming to Barcelona, Ernesto Valverde's men might be reigning supreme for now, but the alarm bells have been ringing harder in the recent weeks for them.

They have dropped points in recent games which has seen Atleti cut the deficit to just 5 points in the league table,

Today's game could decide the way in which the title goes.

Should Barcelona win it, they will be 8 points ahead of Atletico and within touching distance of the title.

However, if Los Rojiblancos do scrap a win, it wouldn't be wrong for Simeone and Co. to dream about winning the league.

Here are five key individual duels that could affect it.

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#5 Gerard Pique vs Diego Costa

Gerard Pique and Diego Costa will battle it out at the Nou Camp

Valverde was spot on with his decision to rest Gerard Pique against Las Palmas. He will need the Spaniard to be in top form, knowing that it's not only Antoine Griezmann Barca will have to look out for.

Pique will come up against Diego Costa, another of Simeone's prolific attackers.

The Spanish international's absence from football in the first half of the season doesn't seem to have affected his goalscoring skills. He has netted 5 times and provided 2 assists in 10 games in all competitions.

Recently, he scored and assisted a goal in Atletico's routs of Sevilla and Leganes, after putting up a man-of-the-match performance against Athletic Bilbao.

Diego Costa's finishing ability will be a major threat. Since both are well-built, Pique will have to make sure he wins when it comes to aerial duels and physical tackles in order to stop his countryman.

Also, keeping him short of space will be important since Costa can cause trouble with his skilled dribbling.

The fact that he has played two games in a span of 4 days means Simeone may replace(or even start with) Fernando Torres at some point in the match. Pique will need to be at his best to make sure he succeeds in defending against his national teammate.

#4 Samuel Umtiti vs Antoine Griezmann

Umtiti (right) will duel with in-form countryman Griezmann

Four days, two games and 7 goals! Simply put, Griezmann is back to his best - looking absolutely menacing in front of goal.

The Frenchman's scoring feats against Sevilla and Leganes means he will be the man to look out for. Los Rojiblancos have been at their best recently and the no.7 is a crucial reason behind it.

Valverde will be expecting Samuel Umtiti to take a good care of his French compatriot. The defender has been in fine form at the back for the Catalans and is up for another decisive individual battle, which if lost, could well affect Barca's chances of staying atop the league table.

Griezmann's goals have taken his league tally to 15 goals alongside 7 assists in the league, not to mention the fact that he recently crossed the 100-goal barrier for Atleti against Leganes.

The Frenchman has never scored against the Catalans at the Nou Camp; a positive fact for Umtiti to keep in mind.

The French defender's physical strength will be tested by his compatriot when as Atleti will most likely play on the counter.

However, he will have to watch out for Griezmann's blistering pace and avoid gifting him the space to take long shots.

Griezmann vs Umtiti is going to be one hell of a battle for sure!

#3 Luis Suarez vs Jose Gimenez

Luis Suarez vs Jose Gimenez will be an exciting individual battle to watch

With both Lucas Hernandez and Stefan Savic doubtful for the clash, there will be a mighty responsibility for the young shoulders of Jose Gimenez as Diego Simeone's men visit the Nou Camp. The 23-year-old center-back is expected to come up against countryman Luis Suarez in the crucial fixture.

Suarez had a considerably slow start to the season but has returned to his best form. He netted a hattrick and assisted two goals against Girona reaching the 20-goal mark in La Liga.

His red-hot form will certainly be a tough challenge for Gimenez. However, the recent results against Leganes and Sevilla are bound to make him optimistic about the clash.

Suarez is adept at being in the right place at the right time to score goals. Gimenez will have to be aware enough to stop the striker from taking accurate positions inside the box. To neutralize Suarez, he will need his subordinates to take care of Barca's players on the flanks and make sure they don't create chances while Atleti is trying to attack.

No doubt, winning this face-off could prove to be decisive for both men and their respective clubs.

#2 Lionel Messi vs Diego Godin

Godin is be expected to be the man to mark Messi

When it comes to classic games, Lionel Messi takes a considerable amount of the spotlight. Too right he should, for he has the ability to change any game at will.

In the clash against Atletico, the Argentinian will lock horns with skipper Diego Godin.

The Uruguayan lost three of his teeth in a clash against Valencia goalkeeper Neto last month but has made a return to Simeone's side, successfully resuming his duties as the main defender in Atletico's defence.

It will be interesting to see if he can neutralize Barca's no.10 and the threat he poses.

Messi bagged another free-kick goal against Las Palmas, shortly after netting a brace and an assist in Girona's 6-1 rout at home. His current La Liga goal tally is 23 in 26 games and he looks in fine form to face Los Colchoneros.

Godin should well remember the fact that Atletico is Messi's second favourite team when it comes to scoring goals. He has netted 27 times in all competitions against Los Colchoneros.

The Uruguayan will require Filipe Luis to help him in this case, since Messi is difficult to contain by a single defender.

Also, the Argentinian functions as a false nine at times, which allows him to leave his markers out of position and create spaces for his teammates. Godin will be aware of this and ensure he doesn't get hoodwinked.

Messi may start on the right and it remains to be seen how Diego Simeone's men plan on subduing him.

#1 Marc-Andre Ter Stegen vs Jan Oblak

Oblak and Ter Stegen may have the biggest impact on the game

Of course, Atletico vs Barcelona will showcase a number of stars on the outfield, but it will be utterly foolish to underestimate the pressure the goalkeepers will have to shoulder during the 90 minutes.

They might be at far ends of the field, but Marc-Andre Ter Stegen and Jan Oblak have got equally tough battles to face. To start with, there are a number of dangerous attackers both have to be wary of.

Oblak has been in fine form this season. He is currently leading the clean sheets chart with 17 under his belt in 26 games, 2 more than Ter Stegen has in as many matches. However, the Slovenian will also come up against the league's top two center forwards which is a challenge in itself.

At the other end of the field, the German shot-stopper has his own worries to take care of. Diego Costa has been in fine form and Antoine Griezmann's recent tally of 7 goals in 2 games means Ter Stegen will have to be at his imperious best for each of the 90 minutes on the pitch.

Ter Stegen is considerably weak when it comes to handling crosses and the Atletico forwards could take a good advantage of this inadequacy. Meanwhile, Suarez and Messi will have to be razor sharp in front of goal, knowing the fact that they will face statistically the best keeper in the league.

Mistakes between the posts will certainly not be accepted and will be punished severely. The battle between the goalkeepers will be the most vital individual duel that will decide the outcome of this fixture.