Time: 14:00 EST | 19:00 GMT | 20:00 CET

What I realistically hope for:

Valdes
Montoya - Pique - Bartra - Adriano
Xavi - Busquets - Iniesta
Alexis - Neymar - Pedro

Bring Messi on at the 60th minute. If Neymar is still suffering from a stomach flu play Cesc instead.

I wouldn't put Neymar in the middle. The balls he'll inevitably lose there, especially coming back from a 4 week break, will kill us on the counter. Adriano won't play. Alba got rested today for a reason.

Pedro Messi Alexis
Iniesta Xavi
Busquets
Alba Masche Pique Montoya
Valdes

Or Cesc in the first half instead of Messi and then Messi on in the second half. Pedro is in very good form. No need to throw Neymar into this game. He hasn't played since before Christmas.

I expect Tata to start with this lineup, only doubt is Masche for Bartra!

Valdes
Alves Bartra Pique Alba
Xavi Busquets Iniesta
Alexis Messi Neymar

Messi will start.
he has been fit for almost half a month now, the only reason we took so long to bring him on is because the club is being extra careful.
if he looks to tire out we could sub him after he scores another brace against Atletico Madrid

I'm not sure, he definitely looked fit but we don't want to rush him into it. Against any other team, I might agree with him starting, but against a very aggressive side it might be wise to ease him in.

honestly, he has just as much of a chance to get injured training then in the match, if he has the doctors green light (which he didn't last year playing against psg/bayern/athletico bilbao etc) then he should play.
this is also for #1 in the league, he looks hungry to prove a point it would be a perfect game to play him.

10 € bet that Fabregas is going to start

really looking forward to this

both pedro and alexis deserve to start over neymar...... and i think Tata will also do so.....
I am really worried about some of our players to get injured. As much i appreciate this Athletico for their hard working and success, i simply hate to see their kicking games. Not to hurt anyone but for me this is simply a dirty team ,...... And considering the game will be in their own field and the winner take a 3 point lead, i am sure they will whatever they need to grab this 3 point. Also they have established themselves by defeating everyteam other than us ....So i can imagine they are plannign for a super dirty tactics,....

Neymar should start if he is well after the stomach problems. Alexis and Pedro are doing very good, but he is game winner.

I would go with this lineup:

VV
Alves Pique Bartra Alba/Adriano

Iniesta Busquets Cesc

Pedro/Alexis Messi Neymar

However, I wouldn't see a bad lineup the one vs. Madrid with Cesc as 10 and Neymar and Messi up top and Xavi coming in.

If it's just Xavi for Cesc, I'm not convinced, I think a 3 man midfield of Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets will have it hard against the incredibly working Atletico midfield.

We'll see what Tata chooses, it will be the most difficult lineup he chooses this season. I would be dissapointed if he plays Mascherano and Cesc is benched tbh,

Huge pressure on Villa to come good.. Many are not convinced by his performances.

How could he have so much pressure on him when he was only signed for 3m?

his wages are high and incentives could raise the value of 3m

I'm pumped

Donuts wrote:his wages are high and incentives could raise the value of 3m

Apparently its 4.5m & w/ incentives going upto 6.5m - says the video.

Windkick, your sig...

His wages are high...and I haven't watched Atletico Madrid a whole lot this season, but 8 goals in 18 appearances isn't that bad of a return. The .50 mark is a good one for strikers, and he's not far below it.

I mean if they were expecting the David Villa of 2010 they really shouldn't have, even though I'm sure he has a lot still in his locker. Hell, he showed it with that brilliant volley against us.

Squad used in training.

Valdes - Alves Pique Mascherano Alba - Xavi Busquets Iniesta - Alexis Cesc Pedro

Although just the midpoint of the season,feels like a title decider.
If we win this,I am confident that we will win the league.
With Messi back and our other forwards firing I just cant see us dropping more than 5,6 points the rest of the season.
Its tempting to play Messi seeing the importance of the game.
But they are a very physical side so it would be wise to keep him on the bench.
I hope we go with a forward line of Neymar,Alexis,Pedro and a midfield trio of Xavi,Busquets,Iniesta.

Line ups.

Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda, Godín, Filipe; Tiago-Gabi, Koke, Arda; Villa y Diego Costa.

Valdés; Jordi Alba, Piqué, Mascherano, Alves; Busquets, Iniesta, Xavi; Alexis Sanchez, Pedro, Fabregas.

So no Messi, no Neymar? Let's what what happens.

Pedro is the only player doing something. Very poor game generally. Hope Neymar and Messi come in ASAP for Xavi and Alexis.

For me Cesc and Alexis were invisible and they should come out for Messi and Neymar.

I think our pressing has been better than it has been in past games this season. Overall, neither team has threatened a whole lot. Pedro probably should have done better with that cross from Iniesta. Aside from that, he's been our best player.

Would like to see Neymar and Messi come on for Alexis and Cesc at 60 minutes if not at half time.

This Atletico team is very hard to break down, as we knew coming in. Xavi and Iniesta with meh games. Haven't really noticed Busquets. Alba got raped a couple times and hasn't done a whole lot going forward, poor game imo. Dani Alves hasn't been allowed as much attacking freedom as he'd like. Alexis has been invisible, Cesc has tried to make an impact and had some good touches but ultimately hasn't been able to find the end product.

Messi in!!!

Awful game.

The game is exactly what everyone expected it to be like.