Barcelona can become only the third team to win five consecutive La Liga away matches against Atletico Madrid when the sides meet at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Sunday.
The visitors are top of La Liga with 30 points from 11 matches and have made an exceptional start in front of goal, scoring 46 times. Only Athletic Bilbao, who scored 49 in their opening 11 games in 1930-31, have scored more at this stage of a La Liga season.
Barcelona have also scored at least three goals in each of their five away league matches this season. They face an Atletico side who are second in the table and have won seven successive La Liga matches under manager Diego Simeone.
Atletico will look to turn home advantage into another positive result, although their recent record against Barcelona is mixed. They have won two of their past five meetings with Barcelona, with the Catalan club winning the other three.
The match is expected to be a fiery contest between two title rivals. Atletico have scored 22 goals in their 11 domestic matches, while Barcelona’s total of 46 is more than double that figure.
Atletico have scored seven goals from build-up attacks this season, a total bettered only by Barcelona, who have scored eight in that phase of play.
Barcelona will be without Rodri, who has a hamstring injury, Dani Olmo, who has an adductor problem, Roony Bardghji, who is sidelined with a knee injury, and Xavi Espart, who has an ankle injury.
Eric Garcia, who has a thigh issue, Jules Kounde, who has an ankle problem, and Andreas Christensen, who has a thigh injury, will all face late assessments before the game.
Atletico are missing Cristian Romero with a muscle injury and Johnny Cardoso because of a thigh problem as Diego Simeone rotates his side.
Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup: Oblak; Llorente, Pubill, Hancko, Grimaldo; Simeone, Barrios, Hjulmand, Baena; Lee, Alvarez.
Barcelona possible starting lineup: J Garcia; Farinas, Cubarsi, Martin, Cancelo; Bernal, Pedri; Yamal, Fermin, Gordon; Raphinha.
The game at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano is scheduled to kick off at 20:00.
Barcelona’s recent form is recorded as WWLLW, while Atletico’s is LWWDW.