Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid have made a dismal start to the season and it shows in the statistics. Barcelona, on the other hand, are aiming to extend their early dominance of the league.
In Barcelona, hope motivates while in the capital, the implicit need to go for the win piles pressure on Atletico.
Barca are top of LaLiga. So far, the squad led by Xavi has only lost one game (El Clasico). Atletico, on the other hand, are in fourth place with 27 points, 11 behind the current leaders.
Despite sitting at the top of the table, Barcelona know that handing any favours to Real Madrid is a risk. Even more so when, in the wake of the World Cup, a marathon of matches will emerge where the margin for error will be at a premium.
Beating Atletico de Madrid would, in a way, begin to tip the balance in LaLiga in the Catalans' favour.
Barcelona have one huge advantage this season: winning the league is in their hands. If they continue their form until May, they will win a trophy that will undoubtedly stabilise the spirits of a club that has struggled in the domestic competition since the 2019/20 campaign.
Xavi, given that context, has shown himself to be a brave coach. While exhibiting some nuances, Barcelona remain a highly attacking side built on classic Barca DNA. The strikers seem to be firing again and Robert Lewandowski (34) is one of the key reasons behind the statistical improvement of the Blaugrana.
Unfortunately for them, the Polish striker is suspended for his double yellow card against Osasuna and will not be able to play on Sunday.
"We have two important absentees: Jordi and Robert. We have tried several options and tomorrow you will see. There are several possibilities," said the coach at the pre-match press conference.
Without Lewandowski, Barca lack a certain ruthlessness. Last season, for example, the club let Real Madrid get away from them by failing to close out games at the right time. Against Espanyol in their last league match, with the Pole on the pitch, history repeated itself and they could not seal the win.
"It's more a mental issue than a game. We dominated and created chances, but you have to kill games off. We need to be more decisive in the penalty area. We are far superior to our opponents but we make mistakes at times," explained Xavi.
Atletico are a team that don't concede space. The effectiveness of the Barcelona attackers on Sunday will be decisive. The Metropolitano is a tough place to go for anyone and, in the gruelling start to 2023, a win will be an important boost for the squad as their hunt for the title.
"Every week is this. The next game is the most important. It won't decide anything, but it would be a blow on the table. It's a complicated venue and they're a rock defensively. It will be hard for us to generate things and we have to be more effective than in the last two games. It's not a critical game for the future of LaLiga", he concluded.
Follow all the action from Atletico Madrid - Barcelona on Flashscore.