Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are set to square off at the Vicente Calderon stadium on Saturday, with the two most recent Primera Liga champions eager to prove their title credentials early on.
The two have enjoyed perfect starts to the campaign and lead the standings alongside Celta Vigo and Eibar after two rounds.
Barca won the four meetings between the sides last season, and they have lost only once in 13 games against Atletico since Diego Simeone took charge as coach of the capital club.
“Atletico is a very complicated team to play against,” Barcelona coach Luis Enrique said on his club’s official website. “It’s always a motivation for us to play them.
“It’s no wonder they won the league two years ago, they have a great coach.
“They will be title contenders and we expect a very tight game, as I’m sure they will.”
Lionel Messi is set to start against Atletico, with the Argentina captain looking to score his first goal of the season this weekend.
Barca begin their Uefa Champions League title defence at Roma on Wednesday, while Atletico start their European campaign at Galatasaray on Tuesday.
Real Madrid, two points adrift of the leading pack, are also in action today.
Rafa Benitez’s men take on Espanyol in Barcelona hoping that Cristiano Ronaldo can end his goal-scoring drought.
Ronaldo, who scored 48 league goals for Real last season, has failed to hit the back of the net during his past seven games, five for Real and two for Portugal.
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