- Catch up quickly before the derby
Match preview
It’s time for the Madrid derby! Real Madrid play hosts to city rivals Atletico Madrid in a crucial clash for La Liga title race.
Both teams will be looking for a win, but apart from bragging rights, a win would help both teams La Liga title aspirations.
With a lot of football left to be played (28 matchdays exactly), it’s too early to call favorites for La Liga. But Atletico Madrid have been looking very solid and a win today might help them get further away from Real Madrid and Barcelona, both teams that have struggles in La Liga so far. So far, Diego Simeone’s men have dropped only 4 out of possible 30 points in La Liga, which explains their standing at the top of La Liga.
Real Madrid on the other hand have struggles and have dropped 13 out of 33 possible points in La Liga. Winning the derby would mean they go from fourth to third place, and only three points behind Atletico, who have one match less.
Both teams qualified for the next stage of the Champions League on the last matchday and will now focus on La Liga until Champions League action returns in February.
Recent Form
Both teams are comin in hot for the derby.
Real Madrid have recently defeated Sevilla in La Liga and after a great performance in Champions League, they have defeated Borussia Monchengladbach and clinched the top of the Group B.
Real’s last five games: W W L L W
In their last five games in all competitions Atletico Madrid had mixed result. Simeone’s men have managed to defeat Salzburg, Valladolid and Valencia, but drew against Bayern and Locomotiv Moscow. Previous to these five games, Atletico defeated Barcelona 1:0.
Atletico’s last five games: W W D W D
Injuries & Suspensions
Fede Valverde has returned to the squad after recovering from injury, but he’s not expected to start yet. Eden Hazard, Martin Ødegaard, Luka Jovic and Mariano all remain out.
Atletico will be without defenders Manu Sanchez and Jose Gimenez. Diego Costa will also miss the match.
There are no suspensions for either club in the season’s first edition of the match.
Potential XI
Real Madrid: Courtois; Mendy, Ramos, Varane, Carvajal; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric; Lucas Vazquez, Vinicius Jr, Benzema
Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Hermoso, Felipe, Savic, Trippier; Saul, Koke, Llorente, Carrasco; Joao Felix, Luis Suarez.
Prediction
This could go either way. Atletico are maybe slight favorites based on recent form but if Real Madrid keep playing like they did against Gladbach, then Atletico will have a hard time.
Final Prediction: Real Madrid 1:0 Atletico Madrid
