Barcelona can ensure they finish the calendar year at the summit of La Liga by beating Atletico Madrid on home soil this Saturday.
La Blaugrana have stumbled in their bid to be crowned Spanish champions, winning just one of their past six matches in La Liga. Atletico have caught up with Hansi Flick's side as a result and can leapfrog them with victory at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Injuries have eased up for Barcelona in recent weeks but that hasn't seen an improvement in performances. The 1-0 home defeat to Leganes last time out highlighted that Flick still has plenty of work to do in Catalonia if he's to finish his first season with a title.
Here is how Barca could line up this weekend.
Barcelona predicted lineup vs Atletico Madrid (4-2-3-1)
GK: Inaki Pena - Pena has been a mainstay in the Barca side since Marc-Andre ter Stegen's injury, but the Spaniard is without a clean sheet in his last five appearances.
RB: Jules Kounde - Barca have relied heavily on Kounde this season and he has seldom fumbled. The Frenchman will likely be kept busy by Samuel Lino on Saturday, who has provided a goal and two assists in his last three appearances.
CB: Pau Cubarsi - The youngster will return to the starting lineup on Saturday having only been used from the bench against Leganes. The return of Ronald Araujo could threaten his starting berth after Christmas.
CB: Inigo Martinez - Martinez's consistency has been commendable for the first half of the season but the 33-year-old will enjoy a well-earned rest over the winter break.
LB: Alejandro Balde - The young left-back was arguably Barca's best player against Leganes and will keep Atletico's right flank honest with his overlapping runs. He must be similarly switched on in his own half.
DM: Marc Casado - Frenkie de Jong has struggled to break back into the Barcelona team since returning from injury such has been Casado's form. The starlet continues to provide expert balance in the engine room.
DM: Pedri - Pedri's playmaking abilities may be required to unpick a well-organised Atleti defence. Los Rojiblancos have conceded just 11 times in La Liga this season and opening them up won't be straightforward.
RW: Fermin Lopez - With Lamine Yamal injured for Saturday's encounter following an ankle issue sustained against Leganes, Lopez may be tasked with filling in on the right-hand side.
AM: Dani Olmo - Olmo hasn't been able to deliver the same output as earlier in his debut season but, much like Pedri, his ingenuity will be vital if Barcelona are going to cause Atleti's backline issues. Has a dark cloud over his future which won't help matters.
LW: Raphinha - One man who has continued to pull his weight during Barca's recent slump is Raphinha, whose La Liga tally stands at 11 goals and six assists already. Has netted four in his last five outings, too.
ST: Robert Lewandowski - It wasn't an inspiring performance by Lewandowski's standards against Leganes but 16 goals in 17 La Liga matches is not to be sniffed at. You can never bet against the Polish forward finding the net.
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