Barcelona can ensure they end the calendar year at the summit of La Liga by beating Atletico Madrid at home this Saturday.
La Blaugrana have stalled in their quest to be crowned Spanish champions, winning just one of their last six La Liga matches. Atletico have caught up with Hansi Flick's team as a result and can overcome them with a win at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Injuries have eased for Barcelona in recent weeks, but that hasn't seen an improvement in form. The 1-0 home defeat to Leganes last time out underlined that Flick still has a lot of work to do in Catalonia if he is to end his first season with a title.
Here's how Barcelona may line up this weekend.
GK: Paint Ink – Pena has been a mainstay in Barca's side since Marc-Andre ter Stegen's injury, but the Spaniard is without a clean sheet in his last five appearances.
RB: Jules Kounde – Barca have relied heavily on Kounde this season and he has rarely failed. The Frenchman is likely to be kept busy by Samuel Lino on Saturday, who has one goal and two assists in his last three appearances.
CB: Pau Cubarsi – The youngster will return to the starting line-up on Saturday after only being used from the bench against Leganes. Ronald Araujo's return could threaten his start after Christmas.
CB: Inigo Martinez – Martinez's consistency has been commendable for the first half of the season, but the 33-year-old will enjoy a well-earned break over the winter break.
LB: Alejandro Balde – The young left-back was arguably Barca's best player against Leganes and will keep Atletico's right-back honest with his overlapping runs. It should be lit similarly in its half.
DM: Marc Casado – Frenkie de Jong has struggled to get back into the Barcelona squad since returning from injury such has been Casado's form. The star continues to provide expert balance in the engine room.
DM: Peter – Pedro's playmaking skills could be required to pick apart a well-organised Atleti defence. Los Rojiblancos have conceded only 11 times League this season and their opening will not be direct.
RW: Fermin Lopez – With Lamine Yamal injured for next Saturday's clash an ankle problem against LeganesLopez could be tasked with filling in on the right side.
AM: Dani Olmo – Olmo has not been able to produce the same output as before in his debut season but, like Pedri, his ingenuity will be vital if Barcelona are to cause Atleti problems at the back. There is one dark cloud over his future that won't help matters.
LW: Raphinha – One man who has continued to pull his weight during Barca's recent slump is Raphinha, whose La Liga tally stands at 11 goals and six assists already. Also has scored in four of his last five outings.
ST: Robert Lewandowski – It wasn't an inspiring performance by Lewandowski's standards against Leganes, but 16 goals in 17 La Liga games is not to be sniffed at. You can never bet against the Polish forward finding the back of the net.