Verdict: Atletico Madrid win
Best Odds: 11/4
Bookmaker: Bet365
Argueably the glamour tie of this weekends fixtures, last years Champions League winners will be desperate for an immediate response when they welcome bitter rivals Atletico to the Bernabéu on Saturday night.
Real Madrid
Starting with the hosts, although Barcelona slumped to a very surprising 2-1 loss to Leganes on Wednesday, Real Madrid were unable to capitalize. Former Spain boss Julen Lopetegui saw his side ship three against Sevilla in what is being described as their worst performance in the past 12 months. Along with losing the Uefa Super Cup final to Atletico in his debut match in charge back in August, there are serious concerns about Madrid’s choice to bring in Lopetegui in such controversial fashion. Now failing to win their last four matchups against their bitter rivals, Madrid would have been hoping to start the post-Cristiano Ronaldo era in better form. After losing 3-0 to Sevilla in midweek, the Whites have shown some other signs of struggles at the start of the new La Liga campaign. After scrapping through Espanyol, Los Blancos also flattered to deceive in their 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao a fortnight ago.
Team News
After being taken off in their 3-0 loss to Sevilla in midweek, Brazilian full-back Marcelo will miss Saturday’s derby with a calf injury. He will join Spanish international Isco on the sidelines after the 26-year-old had surgery on his appendix.
Missing the last two games with an unspecified muscle injury, right-back Dani Carvajal will face a late fitness test.
Atletico Madrid
As for Diego Simeone’s side, while it wasn’t the dream start for the Argentinian tactician after their Europa League success last season, Atletico appear to be getting back to their best. Coming off the back of a very professional performance in their 3-0 win against Huesca in midweek, the visitors have now won their last three matches on the bounce, including a win in their Champions League opener against Monaco. Finding the net on Wednesday, this summers World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann now has two for the season and will play alongside Diego Costa, the former Chelsea man bagged two against Real in the Super Cup final back in August. With the chance to leapfrog their bitter rival into second spot with a win, Simeone will also be boosted by their recent record at the Bernabéu. In fact, Los Colchoneros are now unbeaten across town since 2012.
Team News
Jose Gimenez is likely to feature for Atleti despite an ankle knock. Lucas Hernandez should come in on the left ahead of Filipe Luis, while Angel Correa may feature instead of Thomas Lemar.
Key Factors to Consider
- Atleti’s last 5 away league games have all produced under 2.5 goals.
- Real have only dropped points three times at home in 2018, although one of those games was the Madrid derby in April.
- Diego Simeone’s side are unbeaten in their last four meetings against their bitter rivals (W1, D3).
- More worrying for Real, they have not beaten Atletico at the Bernabéu since 2012.
- Five of the last six matches between the two have seen under 2.5 goals
Conclusion
A side that are clearly still trying to adjust to life under Lopetegui, Saturday could once again prove to be another incredibly tough task for Los Blancos. Losing 4-2 to Simeone’s men in the Super Cup final, coupled with Atletico’s stellar record, especially at the Bernabéu, we’re backing the visitors to come away with the three points on Saturday night.
Verdict: Atletico Madrid win
Best Odds: 11/4
Bookmaker: Bet365
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