Barcelona must rediscover their firepower when they attempt to keep in-form Atletico Madrid's waiting for an elusive win at Camp Nou on Sunday.
A goalless draw at Getafe last weekend meant Barca have failed to find the back of the net in three games.
Xavi's side remain well on course to win the LaLiga title, leading Real Madrid by 11 points with nine matches to play, but have stuttered in recent weeks.
The Blaugrana have not been beaten at home by Atleti since back in 2006, but Diego Simeone's third-placed side head into the game on a six-match winning run in LaLiga.
Using the standout Opta data, Stats Perform preview a huge game in Catalonia.
Barca must rediscover cutting edge
The leaders have not scored a goal since a 4-0 hammering of Elche on April 1, firing a blank when they were consigned to a 4-0 drubbing by Madrid in the Copa del Rey before back-to-back stalemates against Girona and Getafe.
Barca had 44 shots in those three matches, hitting the woodwork twice against Getafe. On only three previous occasions have they failed to score in four successive games, most recently in April 2008 under Frank Rijkaard.
The return to training this week of Ousmane Dembele, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong should give them a lift.
Defensive records make goal-fest unlikely
With so many classy attacking players on show, you might think surely another goalless draw will not be on the cards this weekend.
It would be no great surprise, though, given the defensive records the two sides have, with Barca keeping 22 clean sheets in the 2022-campaign and Atleti 12.
Marc Andre Ter Stegen has only let in an incredible nine goals this season in 29 games in the Spanish top flight, with Atleti goalkeeper Jan Oblak second on the list of the fewest conceded with 21.
Camp Nou an unhappy hunting ground for Simeone
Simeone has had more games without a win at Camp Nou as a boss than any other venue, failing to come out on top on 15 occasions.
Atleti secured back-to-back away victories over Barca in 2005 and 2006, but the Catalan giants are unbeaten in 16 home matches against the Rojiblancos since their last loss 17 years ago.
Simeone's men are on a roll, though, reeling off six successive LaLiga wins – the joint-best current run in Europe's top five leagues along with Manchester City – and they are unbeaten in 13 games in the competition.
Griezy does it
Antoine Griezmann will return to face his former employers in impressive form.
The France forward has scored five goals in his past eight LaLiga games, just one less than in his previous 36 games in the competition.
Griezmann scored both goals in a 2-1 victory over Almeria last weekend, taking his tally for the season to 12 to go with 11 assists.
Emotional Endrick unveiled after 'dream' Real Madrid move
An emotional Endrick says it is a "dream" to play for Real Madrid after being unveiled at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Madrid agreed a deal to sign the Brazilian from Palmeiras in December 2022, but he could not formally join the club until his 18th birthday, which he celebrated on July 21.
Endrick has penned a six-year contract with Los Blancos after signing for an initial fee of €35million, though that could rise by a further €25million in add-ons.
The youngster, who will wear the number 16 shirt, was tearful at his stadium presentation, telling the fans he had realised a long dream.
"This is crazy," Endrick said. "I am so happy since I was a kid, I have always been a Madrid fan, and now I am going to play for Madrid.
"I am here, I am going to play, I am so happy. My family are as well. I don't have words to describe what I am feeling. I always wanted to be here. I wanted to play for Madrid. It was a dream. Today it is a reality."
Endrick became the youngest player to feature for Palmeiras, making his debut at the age of 16 in October 2022, and going on to make 82 appearances, scoring 21 goals.
Since making his debut for Brazil last year, he has netted three times in 10 appearances for his national side and was part of their Copa America squad.
Endrick will be part of Madrid's pre-season tour in the United States later this month when they will play three games against Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea.
Djokovic makes dominant start to Olympic gold medal bid
Novak Djokovic began his latest Olympic gold medal bid with a statement victory over Australia's Matthew Ebden at Roland-Garros.
The 24-time major winner took just 53 minutes to wrap up a comprehensive 6-0 6-1 rout on Court Philippe-Chatrier, to set up a potential second-round clash with Rafael Nadal.
Djokovic won bronze on his Olympic debut in 2008, but missed out on a medal after finishing fourth in 2012 and 2020, while he was beaten in round one in Rio by eventual silver medallist Juan Martin del Potro eight years ago.
However, there was no danger of a repeat of the latter this time around. The Serb took just 24 minutes to wrap up a dominant first set, in which he bageled his helpless opponent.
Ebden remained in positive spirits despite his ordeal. At one stage, he offered his racquet to the crowd, who gave him a wonderful reception when he won his first game of the contest at the 11th attempt.
Nevertheless, it only briefly delayed the inevitable, with Djokovic cruising to the finish line.
Data Debrief: Dominant Djokovic soars into second round
There was no messing around from the 24-time major winner on Saturday, as he was done and dusted in just under an hour at Roland-Garros.
He converted six of his nine break-point opportunities, while winning 14 of 19 net points (74%).
The identity of his second-round opponent is still to be decided, but we could well see a blockbuster clash with Nadal.
Lindstrom joins Everton on loan from Napoli
Everton have completed the loan signing of Jesper Lindstrom from Napoli, the club confirmed on Friday.
Lindstrom will join the Toffees for the 2024-25 season with the deal including an option to make the move permanent at the end of the campaign.
The 24-year-old becomes the fourth addition at Goodison Park following the arrivals of Tim Iroegbunam, Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Harrison.
Lindstrom arrives after a difficult season with Napoli, playing just 416 minutes in 22 league appearances for the Serie A side.
The Denmark international arrived in Naples from Eintracht Frankfurt where he scored 14 goals in 80 appearances, helping the German side lift the Europa League in the 2021-22 season.
“I feel very good. It’s amazing to represent Everton," Lindstrom said in his first interview with the club.
"This is a big club, with big history, a good stadium and, as I’ve seen, very good facilities as well. I’m very, very happy to be here and I feel like this is a good fit.
“I actually heard of Everton’s interest a while ago – not only from now but previously. England is very similar to Denmark so I will feel at home quickly.
“I’ve spoken to the manager. It sounds as though he likes the way I play football and I can be a good fit for the team with my speed, so now I want to deliver."
The search for another attacking option out wide had been the priority at Everton, having seen Arnaut Danjuma return to Villarreal following the completion of his loan deal, and the sale of Lewis Dobbin to Aston Villa.
Everton managed 40 goals last season, the second worst in the Premier League ahead of Sheffield United (35), and Dyche believes Lindstrom has a lot to offer in the final third.
"Jesper is a player with very good ability who can operate in a number of different attacking roles, which will benefit us heading into the new season," said Dyche.
"He joins us with a range of different experiences. He is hungry and eager to succeed with us, and that's a strong starting point as we look to add more productivity to our attack."
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