Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction

Barcelona host Atletico Madrid on Sunday afternoon in a hotly anticipated meeting between two tumbling Spanish giants that are more concerned with Champions League qualification than the title.

Both sides had a wide open two weeks to prepare for the encounter given they have already been knocked out of the Copa del Rey. Atletico go into the weekend sitting fourth, just one point above Barcelona, but the pair trail league leaders Real Madrid by double digits.

Here's all you need to know about the weekend's mouthwatering clash.

How to watch Barcelona vs Atletico on TV/live stream

When is kick off? Sunday 6 February, 15:15 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? Camp Nou
TV channel/live stream? LaLigaTV (UK), ESPN+ (US), TSN (Canada)
Highlights? La Liga YouTube
Referee? Jesus Gil Manzano
VAR? Ignacio Iglesias Villanueva

Barcelona team news

Clement Lenglet became the latest figure added to Barcelona's lengthy list of absentees as the Frenchman pulled up with a hamstring injury in the week of the match. Ansu Fati suffered a setback in his tortuous recovery in the same area after Barcelona's cup clash with Athletic Club went into extra-time.

The lesser spotted Alejandro Balde won't offer any competition for Jordi Alba as his recovers from an ankle sprain. Sergi Roberto appears to be edging closer to a return from a quadriceps injury but Samuel Umtiti is some way off as he nurses a problem with his foot.

You can read Barcelona's predicted lineup here.

Atletico Madrid team news

Diego Simeone has not been lumbered with too many confirmed absentees, but rather a raft of uncertainties. Antonie Griezmann, Marcos Llorente and Geoffrey Kondogbia are three key figures that would have a very good chance of featuring if fully fit.

However, the trio have been restricted to partial training since missing the club's last two matches before the international break.

On that note, Atletico waved goodbye to several South Americans during this European hiatus and it remains to be seen whether Simeone will toss this contingent, including a 35-year-old Luis Suarez, straight back into action.

You can read Atletico's predicted lineup here.

Barcelona vs Atletico head-to-head record

In a rivalry which Barcelona have traditionally dominated - claiming 95 wins to Atletico's 69 across all competitions (D52) - the tables have been turned in recent years.

Barcelona have failed to win their last five matches against Atletico across all competitions - the club's most recent victory came via an 86th-minute Lionel Messi winner, assisted by Suarez with Griezmann lurking on Barça's left wing.

A lot has changed in the intervening two years - all three have left the club firstly, with two now draped in red and white - but there remains a Camp Nou hoodoo for Atletico.

The reigning Spanish champions haven't won a match in the Catalan capital for 16 years, since a 21-year-old Fernando Torres saw off Frank Rijkaard's side with a brace.

Barcelona vs Atletico score prediction

These flagging sides have started 2022 with the exact same mixed record (W3 D1 L2) in identical order, tumbling out of both the Spanish Supercopa and Copa del Rey before earning narrow - and arguably undeserved - La Liga victories before the new year hiatus.

Barcelona have bolstered their flailing frontline - La Liga's seventh-best attack for goals scored - this winter. Yet, it's asking a great deal of an ageing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or clinically unpredictable Adama Traore to make an immediate impact days after signing.

Prediction: Barcelona 1-1 Atletico