Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone says Barcelona are the best team in the world.

The clash at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano will see top spot in LaLiga Santander up for grabs.

"I consider Barcelona to be the best team in the world in recent years, despite not having that consistency in Europe," Simeone told reporters.

"We know they are dangerous and whether they play [Philippe] Coutinho or Malcom, they will have speed and multiple dangerous players.

"We have tried to avoid injuries and for this game, we will only have three absences. We know how important the game is."