Barcelona take on an in-form Atletico Madrid side tomorrow at Camp Nou. The kick off time has been subject to some controversy this week but it seems finally that the game will kick off at 17.00h and will be shown live on Canal+ in Spain. The game will be a chance to compare La Liga’s top scorers, Argentinians Leo Messi and Sergio “Kun” Agüero.

It will also be a first opportunity to see Carles Puyol and Gabi Milito forming a central defensive partnership which has the potential to become the best pairing in the world. Both players are recovering from knocks but have trained normally for the last couple of days. They will have to be at the top of their game to keep out Atletico’s exciting attacking pair of Agüero and Diego Forlan.

Another intersting clash will be in midfield where Deco will come up against his team mate in the Portuguese national team, Maniche. While another Portuese star, Simao Sabrosa, will return to Camp Nou to face his ex-team.

Atletico’s coach, the Mexican Javier Aguirre, has already announced his team for the match, with the only doubt being whether Ze Castro or Eller will accompany Ibañiz at centre back. Goalkeeper Leo Franco is out injured, so Abbiati should start between the posts. I was hoping Pichu would play, he was the unfortunate fill in for Leo Franco last season when the teams met in the Vicente Calderón when Barça won 0-6.

The team Aguirre announced is: Abbiati; Seitaridis, Ibañiz, Ze Castro or Eller, Pernia; Simao, Raul Garcia, Maniche, Reyes; Forlan, Agüero.

The Barça players will stay overnight at a hotel in order to prepare the game better. The game brings together two teams who have both won their last five games, Atletico scoring 17 goals without conceding any in this time. Something will have to give. I’m going for a narrow home win.

Barça’s probable starting XI: Valdés; Oleguer, Puyol, Milito, Abidal; Xavi, Iniesta, Deco; Messi, Henry, Ronaldinho.

My Prediction: Barça 2 Atletico 1