SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY! It’s not a monster truck rally down at the county fairgrounds, this is a big ‘ol important La Liga match as Barcelona welcomes fellow title chasers Atlético Madrid to the Camp Nou. Both teams need three points to stay close to leaders Real Madrid, and a loss by either side would leave them four points back, with Los Blancos still holding a game in hand.
Barcelona vs. Atlético Madrid live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch La Liga online
A loss for either team would leave them four points behind league leaders Real Madrid.
Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images
Barcelona were able to momentarily quiet some doubters with a solid 5-0 win over Elche in the Copa del Rey, but really, it's Elche, and their not very good. They're going to need to play an excellent game from whomever Luis Enrique starts, and since he changes his lineup every week, who knows what he'll do. He certainly didn't rest any of his best attackers on Thursday, but since both Messi and Neymar had sat out last weekend, they should be fine.
Atléti are riding high after a 2-0 first leg over Real Madrid in their Copa del Rey Round of 16 tie. Diego Simeone -- who might be one of the best coaches in the world at the moment -- was able to get that win by playing a virtual "B" team with several starters getting a break, including Mario Manduzik and Arda Turan. That means Atléti will be rested and ready to frustrate Barca with their suffocating defense, and potentially bury Enrique under even more pressure and doubt.
Jeremy Mathieu returned to training on Friday and looks to be available for selection, but Xavi’s calf injury could keep him sidelined for the second straight match. Atléti got Cristian Rodriguez back in training on Friday, and new loanee Cani could make his debut.
Barcelona injuries and suspensions
Out: Thomas Vermaelen (hamstring). In Doubt: Xavi (calf).
Atlético Madrid injuries and suspensions
In Doubt: Cristian Rodriguez (fitness).
Match Date/Time: Sunday, 9 p.m. local, 3 p.m. ET
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
TV: beIN Sports (U.S. - English), beIN Sports en Español (U.S. - Spanish), beIN Sports (Canada), Sky Sports 5/HD (U.K.), Canal+ Yomvi, Canal+ 1/HD/30(Spain)
Online: beIN Sports CONNECT (U.S. & Canada), Sky Go (U.K.)
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