The Madrid derby is all set to take place on Saturday night as both Real and Atletico Madrid look to secure the three points in order to move up the table.
Atletico at third is just a point behind league leaders Real Madrid as Diego Simeone would be optimistic of getting a positive result at the Metropolitano.
Match Details:
Date- Sunday, September 29
Time of Kick-Off- 12:30 AM
Venue- Wanda Metropolitano Stadium
Atletico Madrid Team News
With 13 points in the table, Atletico Madrid is level on points with Real Sociedad and a point behind Real Madrid who are at the top.
Atletico’s recent win was against RCD Mallorca which puts their tally to four wins, a draw, and a defeat in the Spanish league.
The solitary loss that Simeone’s men endured was away from home against Real Sociedad.
Though Diego Godin, Juanfran and Filipe Luis aren’t in the squad anymore Atletico Madrid has conceded just four goals in six league games.
Centre-forward Alvaro Morata won’t play a part against Real Madrid due him getting sent off in the last game against Mallorca.
Diego Costa and Jao Felix will be expected to start up front, while Kieran Trippier is likely to return to the teamsheet after being given a rest.
Thomas Lemar’s hamstring injury keeps him sidelined for the clash this weekend.
Vitolo can come in to fill the wide position, with Koke, Saul Niguez, and Thomas Partey will occupy the midfield.
Real Madrid Team News
Though Zinedine Zidane’s men sit at the top with 13 points on board, Real Madrid was in a serious amount of pressure during the start of the news season.
They did beat Celta Vigo 3-1 in the first game of the campaign but two consecutive draws against Valladolid and Villarreal followed by a humiliating 3-0 defeat to PSG in France led to a lot of pressure.
However, Zidane’s men have bounced back cautiously yet affectively in the next two league games. They beat an in-form Sevilla side 1-0 thanks to a Karim Benzema header.
Los Blancos then went on to beat Osasuna 2-0 at home as the 13 time European champions managed to maintain rare clean sheets. Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes got their name on the scoresheet.
Summer signing, Eden Hazard is yet to make an impact for Real Madrid this season.
Luka Modric could be on his way to the starting lineup this week after recovering from a thigh injury. Marcelo and Ferland Mendy are on the sidelines too, although Nacho could start at left-back once again.
Predicted Lineups
Atletico Madrid- Oblak; Trippier, Savic, Gimenez, Lodi; Saul, Thomas, Koke, Costa, Felix
Real Madrid-Courtois; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Nacho; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric; Hazard, Benzema, Bale
Key Points
Real Madrid has had the upper hand in terms of head-to-head with 87 wins in La Liga to Atletico’s 39.
Four of the last five league meetings between the two sides have ended on level terms.
The last time Atletico Madrid beat arch-rivals Real Madrid was on February 2015.
Top Picks
Karim Benzema has been in red hot form this season for Real Madrid, with the Frenchman scoring five goals in five appearances while also adding an assist.
Dani Carvajal has impressed from the wide region, with the right-back registering three assists in four games this season.
In spite of the Zidane-Bale feud earlier this season, the Welsh winger has kept matters aside and scored twice while also making an assist in four appearances.
Teenage sensation, Jao Felix along with Diego Costa will be the main men in attack for Simeone with the former scoring twice and assisting once in six games this season.
Diego Costa has been a little silent wit just a goal and an assist in four games but has the capability of packing a punch against Real Madrid.
(To get exclusive tips related to your fantasy team, enter your name and phone number below)
ATL vs RM Fantasy Team: