Luis Suarez out - How Atletico and Barcelona could line up

Paul Macdonald

Luis Suarez will miss the opportunity to face his former club when Atletico Madrid take on Barcelona on Saturday.

The international break has not been helpful to Diego Simeone's side, who not only will face the match without Suarez, but his Uruguayan compatriot Lucas Torreira. Hector Herrera was also injured on international duty and will miss out.

Simeone is likely to play an attacking team in any event, with Marcos Llorente and the in-form Joao Felix being joined in attack by Angel Correa.

Atletico Madrid v Barcelona: Match Preview, Live, Report, Ratings

For Barcelona the big casualty is Sergio Busquets, who picked up an knock while playing with Spain and he's out for the next week at least.

Ansu Fati's long-term injury will keep him out until March, and while Philippe Coutinho has returned to training, this match may come too soon for him.

Which means Lionel Messi playing off Antoine Griezmann as the central striker, and Ousmane Dembele will likely get to start from his preferred left-hand side, with either Pedri or Francisco Trincao on the right - likely the former.

Taking Busquets' place in the double pivot will be Miralem Pjanic who will partner Frenkie De Jong.

Predicted Xs: Atletico Madrid v Barcelona

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