Atlético Madrid host Barcelona in battle for top spot in La Liga

Atlético Madrid host defending champions Barcelona at the Metropolitano tomorrow, Sunday, in the final match of the twelfth round of La Liga. Barcelona lead with 30 points, compared with Atlético's 28, and will hope to use home advantage and their supporters to claim first place before the international break.

Atlético come into the match after beating Levante 2-0 in the previous round, despite losing 0-2 to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, a result that ended a run of nine matches without defeat. The team are counting on Julián Álvarez in attack, with Lee Kang-in potentially returning to the starting lineup, while Cristian Romero's availability is in doubt because of injury.

Barcelona will seek to strengthen their lead after beating Aston Villa 3-0 in the Champions League, following their 1-2 defeat to Real Madrid in El Clásico. The team have scored 46 goals in their first 11 league matches and beat Deportivo Alavés 6-1 in the previous round. Raphinha, with 15 goals and three assists in the league, stands out alongside Anthony Gordon and Lamine Yamal, while Rodri will be out for a month with a hamstring injury.

Barcelona coach Hans-Dieter Flick said that Eric García is ready to start and that Andreas Christensen will be in the squad against Atlético.

In the other matches of the round, Elche meet Real Betis, Real Sociedad face Rayo Vallecano, Villarreal take on Getafe, and Celta Vigo play Levante.