Confirmed XIs: Barcelona make four changes for top table clash with Atletico

Both Ernesto Valverde and Diego Simeone have named the exact XIs that were predicted ahead of kick-off, with Barcelona making four changes from their stalemate at Las Palmas in midweek.

Lucas Digne, Thomas Vermaelen, Aleix Vidal and Paulinho make way for Jordi Alba, Gerard Pique, Philippe Coutinho and Ivan Rakitic respectively

The aforementioned record signing from Liverpool keeps returns to the Barcelona XI despite the fact that the blaugrana have drawn as many of the six matches in which he has featured in La Liga as they had in the 20 matches before his arrival (three).

For Atletico, Simeone has made two changes in the line-up from the 4-0 win over Leganes, with Sime Vrsaljko and Gabi returning for Juanfran and Angel Correa, opting to stick with Jose Gimenez at centre-back despite the return of the fit again Lucas Hernandez.

Atletico have conceded just four goals in the 15 La Liga matches that the Frenchman has started this season, winning 11 and drawing the other four, so his absence is the only real talking point.

Elsewhere Antoine Griezmann will be looking to continue his electric form having scored seven goals in his last two appearances, while Lionel Messi is aiming to score for the 11th season of the last twelve in La Liga having failed to find the net in the capital. The pair have earned the highest WhoScored.com ratings for their respective sides this season.

A win for Atletico would move them to within two points of their hosts, while a Barcelona victory would all but ensure that the title returns to Camp Nou this season.