When the season in La Liga started, a lot was expected of Atletico Madrid, considering that they have stability at the coaching position and that they have spent a lot of money in June transfer window, including signing Julian Alvarez from Manchester City. So, the dissapointment was a big one when the results were shaky in September. But come December, Atletico is on the verge of the fist place in La Liga. Since Real Madrid finished all of their La Liga games until 2025, with a win over Barcelona today, Diego Simeone will finish the year 2024 as the leader in Spain, along with his men. The achievement is great, considering that prior to today’s match, Atletico is in a fantastic series of 11 consecutive wins in all competition. The best run so far was 13, also under Diego Simeone, which is logical, since he has been in the club since 2011.Barca snatch an African gemBut, here lays a problem: Diego Simeone never ever, neither as a player or as a coach defeated Barcelona at their ground. During his playing days, Simeone lost three times and drew once, even scoring a goal in one match in 1994 while wearing the Sevilla jersey. As Atlético’s coach, his record in Barcelona stands at seven draws and ten losses (not counting matches against Espanyol). Barcelona have won their last five LaLiga meetings with Atlético Madrid and could equal their best ever run of consecutive victories against the Rojiblancos in the competition, achieved between September 2010 and May 2013. Not only that, but Barcelona have not conceded a single goal in their last four games against Atlético de Madrid in LaLiga, the best unbeaten streak against the red-and-white team in their entire history in the competition.Barca to play CL matches in Madrid?Considering the strength of both teams, it looks like it’s impossible that the game will be without goals on both ends. Robert Lewandowski is the top scorer in La liga (27 goals), while Atletico’s Alexander Serloth is the second (24). But it’s interesting that Atletico’s Antoine Griezmann has not scored in any of his 15 games as a red-and-white against his former team in the competition (12 shots on goal, 30 in total)! Will that finally change tonight?LA LIGA – MATCHDAY 18FridayGirona – Valladolid 3-0 (2-0)/Lopez 31, Ruiz 39, Danjuma 81/Saturday16:00: (2.35) Getafe (2.75) Mallorca (3.80)18:15: (2.90) Celta (3.25) Sociedad (2.65)20:30: (3.60) Osasuna (3.25) Ath.Bilbao (2.15)23:00: (2.00) Barcelona (3.60) Atl.Madrid (4.00)Sunday16:00: (2.30) Valencia (3.10) Alaves (3.40)18:15: (1.33) Real Madrid (5.50) Sevilla (8.50)20:30: (1.90) Las Palmas (3.60) Espanyol (4.50)20:30: (4.10) Leganes (3.50) Villareal (2.00)23:00: (1.80) Betis (3.60) Rayo Vallecano (5.10)***odds are subject to change***
