Prediction: Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid

Verdict: Under 2.5 Goals

Best Odds: 9/10

Bookmakers: Bet 365

Atletico Madrid welcome their eternal city rivals Real for the first ever Madrid derby in the Wanda Metropolitano. The sides sit fourth and third in La Liga table respectively, tied on 23 points, and both are having disappointing season by comparison to benchmark setters Barcelona, who lead the pair by eight points. Consequently a win in this game is crucial for both sides, but that will be no easy feat by any means. Madrid derbies can be fiery affairs, and we should be in for a cracker with the amount of talent on show.

Atletico Madrid

Diego Simeone’s side have had an intriguing season so far. Despite the move to a new stadium, and a transfer ban not allowing them to bring in any new faces, Atleti are actually unbeaten in La Liga after 11 games. Los Rojiblancos have also conceded just six times, and scored 16 goals on the campaign, which are the sort of statistics that you would expect from the Madrid club.

However there are problems bubbling under the surface, and times have been troubling for Atleti fans. One of the most worrying things facing Simeone is the lack of wins. Despite their unbeaten record Atletico Madrid have drawn five of their 11 games, and two of these draws have come at home, where they have historically been so strong. Add to this the fact that their talismanic striker Antoine Griezmann has just two league goals this season, and you start to see cracks appearing.

The best measure of their struggles however comes from a simple glance at their Champions League form. Atleti sit in a precarious third position in Group C, four points behind Chelsea and five behind Roma. It will take a gargantuan effort to make it through to the knockout stages from this position, and failing to do so would underline their worrying form.

Team News

Thankfully there is little for Diego Simeone to worry about regarding injuries. Left back Filipe Luis and midfielder Koke have both returned to fitness over the international break and should feature in this game.

Angel Correa meanwhile could start up front alongside Antoine Griezmann, replacing the struggling Kevin Gameiro.

Real Madrid

Atleti’s city rivals have had their own problems this season, and have already lost two games, which is just one less that they lost in the entirety of their last campaign. Los Blancos had been on somewhat of a hot streak, winning four in a row before inexplicably losing to newly promoted Girona. The loss came in their last away game, and while they comfortably dispatched Las Palmas 3-0 in the Bernabeu since then, an away day against their zealous rivals comes at a bad time for Zinedine Zidane’s men.

One stat that perhaps explains Real’s struggles is Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal tally for the season. The Portuguese star has just one La Liga goal in this campaign, putting him 11 behind rival Lionel Messi in the scoring charts. Thankfully for Real fans both Isco and Marco Asensio have pitched in with four league goals each, and Zidane’s side are still scoring two goals per game on average. That said, Madrid find themselves eight points behind league leaders Barcelona after just 11 games, and it will take a minor miracle for Los Blancos to retain their La Liga title.

Team News

There is positive news for long serving right back Dani Carvajal as the Spain international has fully recovered from his Pericarditis, and could well feature in this fixture. Elsewhere Isco and Mateo Kovacic both face late fitness tests, but look likely to play at least a few minutes each.

In goal Keylor Navas remains out, meaning backup shot stopper Kiko Casilla will start in his place.

Key Factors to Consider

• Atletico Madrid have conceded just six goals in their 11 La Liga games this season.
• Atleti are yet to lose a league game this season, but have recorded five draws.
• Real Madrid have scored 22 league goals in this campaign, an average of two per game.
• Antoine Griezmann has just two league goals this season.
• Cristiano Ronaldo has just one league goal this season, compared to Lionel Messi’s 12.

Conclusion

Both sides have been struggling somewhat this season, but Madrid derbies are often tense, gritty affairs. There is nothing to suggest that Saturday’s game will be any different, and Atleti are yet to lose a La Liga game this season, conceding just six goals so far. The safest bet here looks to be on a low scoring game.

Verdict: Under 2.5 Goals

Best Odds: 9/10

Bookmakers: Bet 365