Guangzhou Evergrande says it wants to develop new talents a la Lionel Messi. (Photo : Getty Images)
Powerhouse teams Atletico Madrid (13-4-6, 45 points) and FC Barcelona (15-2-6, 51 points) are scheduled to square off in a 2016-2017 La Liga season match at the Vicente Calderon Stadium on Feb. 26, Sunday.
Start Time and Streaming Info
The game starts at 10:15 a.m. ET. It can be viewed live online thru FuboTV.
Atletico Madrid is streaking as of late with three consecutive wins. The team has been undefeated in their last eight matches to climb up to the fourth spot of the Spanish top flight table. They now hold the final Champions League qualifying berth for the next season and are four points ahead of fifth-place team Real Sociedad.
Los Colchoneros is coming off a 4-1 romp of bottom three squad Sporting Gijon on the road at the El Molinon Stadium last Saturday, as per Goal.
After a goalless first half of action, Belgian midfielder Yannick Carrasco broke the game's deadlock in the 46th minute, but it was quickly leveled by Sporting with a right-footer by Spanish midfielder Sergio Alvarez three minutes later.
With the game tied at 1-1, head coach Diego Simeone subbed in French striker Kevin Gameiro two minutes past the hour-mark of the contest. Gameiro went on to score a hat-trick, netting goals in the 80th, 81st, and 85th minutes, to complete Atleti's four-goal haul.
Meanwhile, Barcelona won its third straight game after nipping newly-promoted side CD Leganes, 2-1, at the Camp Nou last Sunday, The Guardian reported.
Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi was the man of the match for head coach Luis Enrique's side as he scored a brace in the fourth and 90th minutes. Spanish midfielder Unai Lopez netted Leganes' lone goal in the 71st minute.
The win extended the Blaugrana's undefeated streak to 16 games with their last La Liga loss coming way back in October against Celta Vigo.
Barça is currently in the second spot of the league table, two points ahead of third-running team Sevilla and only a point behind current league leaders and arch-rivals Real Madrid.
Prediction and Predicted Lineup
The predicted result is a tough 2-1 victory for Barcelona.
Atletico Madrid starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Moya; Vrsaljko, Savic, Gomez, Luis; Correa, Gabi, Koke, Carrasco; Griezmann, Gameiro
Barcelona starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): ter Stegen; Roberto, Umtiti, Mathieu, Digne; Rakitic, Gomes, Rafinha; Messi, Suárez, Neymar
