Barcelona host Atletico Madrid on Saturday in a match that could play a role in deciding this season’s La Liga title.
The Catalans will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing 1-0 defeat to Leganes in their previous league match, which left their status as table toppers vulnerable.
On the other hand, Diego Simeone’s side defeated Getafe 1-0 in their previous outing. It was their 11th consecutive victory across all competitions and brought them level on points with Barcelona in the league table. However, they are second in the La Liga standings currently due to inferior goal difference.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this La Liga match in the U.S.:
TV channel: —
Live stream: ESPN+, ESPN App
This game is not available for live TV broadcast in the United States. Streaming options are available on ESPN App and ESPN+.
What time does Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid kick off?
This La Liga clash takes place at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona, Spain and kicks off on Saturday, December 21 at 9:00 p.m. local time.
Here’s how that time translates across the U.S.:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Sat, Dec. 21 | 3:00 p.m. |
| Central Time | Sat, Dec. 21 | 2:00 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Sat, Dec. 21 | 1:00 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Sat, Dec. 21 | 12:00 p.m. |
Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid lineups, team news
Barcelona will be without teenage superstar Lamine Yamal with an ankle injury keeping him sidelined until the start of 2025.
Hansi Flick’s charges have failed to win any of the four league games already missed by the 17-year-old in 2024/25 with Fermin Lopez potentially replacing him in the starting XI.
Andreas Christensen, Ansu Fati, Marc Bernal and Marc-Andre ter Stegen all remain out injured, but the key ongoing absence is manager Flick, who serves the second match of a two-game La Liga touchline ban.
Barcelona predicted XI (4-3-3, right to left): Pena (GK) — Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde — Olmo, Casado, Pedri — Lopez, Lewandowski, Raphinha
Injured: Bernal, Christensen, Ter Stegen, Fati, Lamine Yamal.
Suspended: None
Simeone has not confirmed any fresh injury concerns in his camp and he could stick with an unchanged team from last weekend’s 1-0 over Getafe.
Alexander Sorloth could remain on the bench – despite scoring the winner in that game – with Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann in sparkling form.
Atletico Madrid predicted XI (4-4-2, right to left): Oblak (GK) — Llorente, Gimenez, Lenglet, Galan — Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Lino — Alvarez, Griezmann.
Injured: None
Suspended: None
Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid Prediction
Barcelona have won their last five La Liga matches against Atletico Madrid and could break a record if they win this upcoming clash.
However, it won’t be easy for Flick’s side as Atletico Madrid come into this game in top form, while Barcelona have shown chinks in their armor recently.
This game is likely to end in a hard-fought draw with both sides sharing the spoils.
- Prediction: Barcelona 2-2 Atletico Madrid
La Liga fixture schedule this week
All times ET
Friday, December 20
- Girona vs. Real Valladolid (3:00 p.m.)
Saturday, December 21
- Getafe vs. Mallorca (8:00 a.m.)
- Celta Vigo vs. Real Sociedad (10:15 a.m.)
- Osasuna vs. Athletic Club (12:30 p.m.)
- Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid (3:00 p.m.)
Sunday, December 22
- Valencia vs. Deportivo Alaves (8:00 a.m.)
- Real Madrid vs. Sevilla (10:15 a.m.)
- Las Palmas vs. Espanyol (12:30 p.m.)
- Leganés vs. Villarreal (12:30 p.m.)
- Real Betis vs. Rayo Vallecano (3:00 p.m.)
