With Simeone and Valverde, a draw is (almost) assured

With Real Madrid now on 31 points after their win against Alavés, Barcelona (28) and Atlético (25) are further behind the top, especially Atlético. Playing at home, Atleti will believe that they now have a better chance of getting something from the game against Barca.

With a packed stadium, it will be far from easy for Barca. Nor will it be for Atlético, who have never beaten Barcelona in the league with Simeone in charge. He has had 15 attempts (5 draws and 10 defeats)... all of them, at least so far, have failed.

A match that comes in a complicated week for Simeone after the defeat away to Juventus in the Champions League. 

Atletic have been a bit of a bogey team for Barcelona away from home. Valverde hasn't beaten Atlético in his last 7 seven attempts away from home in both the Vicente Calderón and Wanda Metropolitano (4 draws and 3 defeats).

On paper, a draw looks most likely. But in football it is almost impossible to predict a result, especially taking into account the number of great players that will be on show in Madrid.