Griezmann to justify the hype as Atletico entertain Barca?

Atletico Madrid face FC Barcelona in the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on Saturday in a game that has plenty of reasons to make it unmissable.

Not only does the game see the team lying third in the Liga Santander entertain the league leader with the chance of going top if they win, but it also sees Atletico striker Antoine Griezmann face Barca for the first time since his 'Will he? Won't he?' transfer drama of the summer.

Griezmann had looked odds on to join Barca in June, before the striker then played out a long-running soap opera over his eventual decision to remain at the Wanda or to move to the Camp Nou.

His final decision to stay at Atletico was finally made public in a specially recorded and much-hyped video, which was a letdown for Barca, but which also irritated many Atletico fans, who believed they deserved better than to be subjected to days of uncertainty by their star player.

That decision was taken 5 long months ago and now Griezmann has to justify it with a man-of the match performance, which he also needs to help his cause of winning the Balon D'Or, which will be announced in just over a week.

Barca travel following their 4-3 defeat to Betis a fortnight ago and with coach Ernesto Valverde knowing players such as Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique have to improve their recent form.

The introduction of Arturo Vidal for the injured (and suspended) Ivan Rakitic should give more bite to the Barca midfield, while Samuel Umtiti is available again after injury if Valverde wants him in defense.

Atletico meanwhile are without experienced defenders, Diego Godin, Jose Gimenez and Juanfran.

Midfield is likely to be vital and it will be fascinating to see Busquets up against Rodrigo Hernandez, who many tip to be his successor in the national team, while Saul and Koke for Atletico, will joust it out with Barca's Arthur and Vidal for the middle of the park.

Leo Messi and Luis Suarez once again pose Barca's main attacking threat, while Griezmann and Diego Costa provide a combination of pace and power for Atletico.

Two weeks ago Betis beat Barca by playing three men up front and hitting them time and again on the break. Atletico are likely to be more conservative, but if Saul, Rodri and Koke can impose themselves in midfield, they will feel the game is theirs to take... And that will put Griezmann in the spotlight.