Introduction
A top-of-the-table clash awaits in La Liga. The League leaders Atletico De Madrid welcome bitter rivals Real Madrid at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano in an amazing Madrid derby.
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Why Should You be Watching?
A massive fixture that will most probably set the tone for the La Liga title race. Real Madrid is currently tied on points with Fc Barcelona. They are currently sitting third on the points table 5 points behind league leaders, Atletico Madrid. A victory here for the visitors will send them within 2 points of the leaders and put more pressure on Atletico De Madrid and Fc Barcelona. This will also intensify the title race. A win here for the home side will put more gap between them and the currently second-placed Fc Barcelona.
Head to Head
Real Madrid has had the better record in the past 20 derbies. Los Blancos has won 10 of them while Atletico has won just four of them. The last time these two sides met, Real Madrid cruised to a comfortable 2-0 win with a Casemiro goal and an Oblak howler. The last time Atleti defeated Real was back in the summer of 2019 when they thrashed Real Madrid 7-3. However, coming in this big derby match. Atleti comes as favorites having recently beaten Villarreal and Real Madrid meanwhile salvaging a point after a tough draw with Real Sociedad.
Atletico Madrid La Liga form
- W-D-W-D-L-W
Atletico Madrid form (all competitions):
- D-W-D-L-L-W
Real Madrid La Liga form:
- L-W-W-W-W-D
Real Madrid form (all competitions):
- W-W-W-W-D
Team News and Lineups
Real Madrid
The Los Blancos will again be without the services of their key Belgian playmaker Eden Hazard. He is again sidelined for this El Derbi Madrileno. Zidane will also not be able to take into consideration the likes of striker Mariano Diaz, star captain, and center-back Sergio Ramos, and Spaniard Right-back Dani Carvajal. However, Zidane will be boosted by the return of the prolific Karim Benzema who is confirmed to play the Derby. Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, and Casemiro are all available in the midfield. Zidane will also have the likes of Marcelo, Rodrygo Goes, and Fede Valverde available for selection in this high voltage fixture. Eder Militao is doubtful for the match. No official statement has been released by the club regarding his present condition.
Los Blancos possible starting lineup
Gk-Courtois
Defence– Vazquez, Nacho, Varane, Mendy;
Midfield- Modric, Casemiro, Kroos,
Attack- Isco; Benzema, Vinicius
Atletico Madrid
The Los Colchoneros will not have many headaches about injuries or suspension going into the Real game. Simeone will only be without his star center-back Jose Gimenez on the account of an adductor injury. Thus he is expected to miss the match. However, the home side will be boosted by the return of Belgian Yannick Carrasco who was recently on the sidelines due to a chronic foot injury. Right Back, Kieran Trippier also returns from a 10-week betting suspension and he is being tipped to feature in the playing XI for the Madrid Derby. Other than Jimenez, there are no major injury concerns on the Atletico side though Carrasco will make his way into the side only after passing the fitness test.
Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:
GK- Oblak
Defence– Savic, Felipe, Hermoso;
Midfield– Trippier, Llorente, Koke, Saul,
Attack– Carrasco; Felix, Suarez
Players to Watch Out For
Luis Suarez
He will look to continue his excellent run of form and hurt Real Madrid again. He’ll look to take advantage of a comparatively weaker Real Madrid defense and get his team to winning positions.
Saul Niguez
He will have a big task in the middle of the park as he will look to create and feed chances for the forward upfront, especially Luis Suarez. He will also look to stop the Real Madrid midfield from causing damage.
Oblak
He will again play a big role in this derby. His keeping abilities will be tested in this match. With Benzema back, it’ll be on him to keep him at bay and stop Real Madrid from scoring. He will also look to amend the mistake he did the last time these two sides faced each other.
Courtois
With an in-form Luis Suarez leading the Atletico line, it will be on Courtois to keep him at bay and prevent him from scoring. Atletico is usually a defensive side, but when they attack it’ll be on Courtois and his Defenders to stop them at all costs and get the win for Real Madrid.
Varane
Putting up a good performance and again leading the team’s defense in absence of Ramos, Varane will look to give a magical performance to get his team the much-needed win in the race for the La Liga title.
Benzema
He will start, and he will surely be trouble for the Atleti defense a lot with his runs and goal-scoring abilities. The onus will be on the Frenchman to lead his side like a captain and take them to a victory.
Conclusion
This Madrid derby will be one of the most fascinating to watch with the current standings of both the teams spicing it up even more. A Real win will move them within 2 points from the Liga leaders and an Atletico win will keep them in pole position with an 8-point advantage over Los Blancos. So stay tuned for the El Derbi Madrileno and see whether Madrid turns white or Red after the fixture. All eyes will solely be on Madrid this Sunday to see which of these teams emerge victorious at the Wanda Metropolitano.
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