Under Xavi, Barca have lost at home to Real Betis and drawn away at Osasuna, Sevilla and Granada. Even in their last game against Alaves, which brought a 1-0 win, the lack of punch and creativity was arguably as clear as it ever was under Ronald Koeman. But there is evidence now of a system and a plan, even if these players are not always capable of executing it. Results have improved – Barca have lost only once in the league in Xavi’s 10 games.
Aubameyang could make his debut on Sunday, although given the 32-year-old’s last game for Arsenal came on December 6, he might be more likely to start on the bench. Atletico’s problem has been conceding goals rather than scoring them, the collapse of their usually dependable defence the central reason for the crumbling defence of their title. Already, they have conceded 26 goals, one more than they let in all last season. Four defeats in a row in December not only ended any hopes they had of catching Real Madrid but raised doubts about Atletico’s ability to recover and even Diego Simeone’s position as coach.
Head to Head RecordThe sides drew 1-1 in the corresponding fixture in January in a tempestuous encounter where 12 yellow cards were shown between the two teams. Antoine Griezmann equalised on the stroke of half-time after Wissam Ben Yedder had given Sevilla the lead. Aitor Alcalde/GettyImagesThis has been a closely contested tie in the past, with Atlético winning 15 league meetings between the teams, Sevilla winning 13 and a further 15 games ending in draws. Recent FormAtlético's recent league form has been strong, winning four of their last five games whilst they have won six consecutive fixtures at home. CRISTINA QUICLER/GettyImagesSevilla's recent league form has been poor, losing three of their last five games including their last two away fixtures.
JOSEP LAGO/GettyImagesWhere to WatchWhen Is Kick Off? Sunday 12 MayWhat Time Is Kick Off? 17:30 (BST)Where Is it Played? Metropolitano StadiumTV Channel/Live Stream? N/AReferee? N/ATeam NewsAtlético confirmed on Tuesday that Stefan Savic suffered a hamstring injury against Espanyol that will rule him out for this match. Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/GettyImagesFellow centre-back José Giménez has been out with a toe injury since April and is expected to miss out once again, while Nikola Kalinic is a doubt to play – and of course, Diego Costa is still serving a suspension he received for insulting a referee when Atlético played Barcelona in April. Nehuén Pérez won't be available as he will be part of the Argentina side that is at the Under-20 World Cup in Poland and for Sevilla, Éver Banega will be serving the second game of a two-match suspension he received for getting sent off against Girona.
Atletico Madrid vs Sevilla Preview: Where to Watch, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team NewsAtlético Madrid host Sevilla on Sunday as they look to confirm second place in La Liga. Los Colchoneros are six points clear of city rivals Real, and will be guaranteed to finish in second place if they can avoid defeat against Sevilla. Atlético suffered a surprise 3-0 away defeat to Espanyol in their last game, but will be looking to get back on track. Sevilla are sixth in La Liga, three points off the top four and suffered a blow to their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League last weekend when they lost 3-0 at home to Leganés.
Espanyol 1-2 Atletico Madrid: Thomas Lemar's 99h minute La Liga, RCDE Stadium: Espanyol 1 (de Tomas 40'), Atletico Madrid 2 (Carrasco 79', Lemar 90+9'). Thomas Lemar's late goal broke
Atletico Madrid vs Sevilla Preview: Where to Watch, Live Atlético confirmed on Tuesday that Stefan Savic suffered a hamstring injury against Espanyol that will rule him out for this match.
Atlético Madrid v Espanyol Résultats en Direct et - Oddspedia Live Stream. S'inscrire ici; Regardez maintenant en direct sans publicité ! Diffusion
Yet Atletico face Barcelona on the back of their most rousing victory in months, a comeback from 2-0 down to beat Valencia 3-2 at the Wanda Metropolitano prompting a chorus of pledges about the beginnings of a revival. Coach Diego Simeone said afterwards he needs to “individualise” the players that engineered the fightback and it remains to be seen how Luis Suarez features from now on, with questions lingering about the sacrifices needed to ensure the Uruguayan succeeds. Suarez will certainly need no extra motivation on his second return to Camp Nou.
Recoveries on the line as Barca, Atletico battle for top fourMadrid (AFP) – Rejuvenation will be the reward for the winner of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid on Sunday as La Liga’s two fallen giants seek a statement victory to hasten their return to the elite. Both clubs have endured the kind of turbulence this season that neither have faced for more than a decade but each of them head to Camp Nou with fresh hope and a sense of optimism that a corner is being turned. Sunday will mark exactly two months since Xavi Hernandez was appointed Barcelona coach, with the team lying ninth in La Liga, five points adrift of the top four. The trajectory since has not always been upward, with failure to qualify for the Champions League knock-out stages preceding defeat by Athletic Bilbao in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey.
Real Betis vs. Grenada: Live stream, TV channel, start time Real Betis Balompie v Granada CF - La Liga Atletico Madrid | 1:30 p.m. | bein Sports | Live stream: Sling (free trial) Espanyol