Mar 4, 2018 at 3.15pm UK at ​Camp Nou (Barcelona)
Barcelona
1-0
AtleticoAtletico Madrid
Messi (26')
Messi (30'), Rakitic (69')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Vrsaljko (31'), Gimenez (57')

Team News: Philippe Coutinho, Gerard Pique restored to Barcelona XI

Team News: Coutinho, Pique restored to Barcelona XI
© Offside
Philippe Coutinho and Gerard Pique return to Barcelona's starting lineup for the crunch clash against Atletico Madrid, as Ernesto Valverde makes four changes to his side.

Philippe Coutinho and Gerard Pique have returned to Barcelona's starting lineup for this afternoon's crunch La Liga clash against Atletico Madrid.

The pair were named on the bench for the trip to Las Palmas three days ago with this top-of-the-table showdown in mind, as Barca attempt to protect their five-point advantage at the summit.

Barca boss Ernesto Valverde has also recalled Ivan Rakitic in midfield and Jordi Alba at full-back following his return from suspension, meaning that Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi will continue to work in tandem up top.

There is another start for Sergi Roberto on the opposite flank to Alba, meanwhile, as Nelson Semedo is expected to spend the next five weeks on the sidelines with an injury.

As far as the visitors are concerned, they are without defender Stefan Savic due to minor injury, but Lucas Hernandez is fit enough for a place among the subs.

Diego Simeone has gone with a front-two pairing of Antoine Griezmann and Diego Costa, with the former aiming to build on an impressive run that has seen him net seven goals in his last two games and 15 times overall in the league this term.

Atleti boss Simeone has never previously beaten Barcelona in 12 attempts, although he did see his side claim a 1-1 draw at the Wanda Metropolitano in the reverse fixture.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba; Coutinho, Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez
Subs: Cillessen, Paulinho, Dembele, Digne, Gomes, Paco, Vermaelen

Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Vrsaljko, Gimenez, Godin, Luis; Saul, Thomas, Gabi, Koke; Griezmann, Costa
Subs: Werner, Correa, Gameiro, Lucas, Torres, Juanfran, Vitolo

Follow all of the action as it unfolds in Catalonia with Sports Mole's live text coverage right here.

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Antoine Griezmann celebrates scoring for Atletico Madrid on September 17, 2017
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona27216069125769
2Atletico MadridAtletico27178241122959
3Real Madrid27166565293654
4Valencia27165652302253
5Sevilla27143103640-445
6Villarreal2712693631542
7GironaGirona2711793836240
8EibarEibar27107103339-637
9Real Betis27114124352-937
10Getafe279993325836
11Celta Vigo27106114338536
12Leganes2797112328-534
13Real Sociedad2796124948133
14Athletic Bilbao2771192731-432
15Espanyol2771192433-932
16AlavesAlaves2792162339-1629
17Levante27313112241-1922
18Las PalmasLas Palmas2756161852-3421
19Deportivo La CorunaDeportivo2747162557-3219
20Malaga2734201643-2713

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