Verdict: Under 2,5 goals scored – yes
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: 888sport
Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will play another chapter of Madrid’s Derby, one of the hottest rivalries in football over the last few years. These two sides have been near the top of LaLiga for the better part of the last decade, and now both will meet at Santiago Bernabeu looking to get closer to the top spot in the standings. Kick-off for this match has been scheduled at 15:00 GMT.
Real Madrid
Zinedine Zidane has been criticised for a few ugly losses this season, but no one can say the team is not performing at a high level of late. Los Blancos enter this game riding an impressive 20-game undefeated streak in all competitions (W15, D5) and as a result. Los Merengues currently sit at the top of the Liga standings with 46 points, three above FC Barcelona. To make things even better, Real Madrid have won each of their last seven games in all competitions so they have been unstoppable despite not having Eden Hazard over the last few weeks due to injury. Los Merengues are coming off a 1-0 away win at Valladolid, and are riding a three-game winning streak in the league. Adding another win could be a massive morale boost for them, while solidfying their place at the top of the standings.
Team News
Real Madrid won’t have Marco Asensio (knee), Gareth Bale (ankle), and Eden Hazard (ankle) available for this match. Hazard, however, returned to training and should be nearing a return.
To make things even more complicated, Mariano Diaz has been listed as questionable due to an undisclosed injury.
Atletico Madrid
Diego Pablo Simeone’s seat at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium is getting hotter and hotter. The team has been unable to perform at a high level, and it seems the team has not learned how to play with Antoine Griezmann and Diego Costa this season. The Madrid-based side enters this game in a two-game winless run (D1, L1) and while they sit in fifth place — which is already disappointing for them — their biggest worry should lie on their attacking struggles. Atletico Madrid have scored just 22 goals in 21 league matches this term. That’s not good enough if tbey want to challenge for the Liga title, but it’s also quite poor for a team as talented as they are. They will attempt to shake off their woes following a scoreless draw against Leganes at home the last time out. But they haven’t been able to defeat Real Madrid in their last seven league matches against them (D5, L2).
Team News
Diego Costa (hernia) remains sidelined for an undisclosed period of time. Plus, Atletico also signed Yannick Carrasco on loan from the Chinese Super League during the January transfer window.
Several other players have been listed as questionable for Los Colchoneros. The list includes Santiago Arias (groin), Jose Maria Gimenez (leg), Joao Felix (leg) and Thomas Lemar (stomach disorder).
Key Factors to Consider
- Across all domestic competitions, five of the last six meetings between these two sides have featured under 2.5 goals.
- Atletico Madrid have lost just two of their last 10 away matches (W3, D5, L2).
- Real Madrid enter this game in a great winning run. They have won each of their last seven matches, and are undefeated in their last 20 outings in all competitions (W15, D5).
- Atletico Madrid are winless in their last two matches and, as a result, they have fallen out of the UEFA Champions League zone.
- These two sides own the league’s best defences. Real Madrid have conceded 13 goals, and Atletico have allowed 14.
Conclusion
Four of the last five competitive matches between these two sides have featured under 2.5 goals. In fact, three of the last four (counting 90 minutes only) have ended scoreless.
Given the lack of attacking depth on Real Madrid and Atletico’s solid defensive track record, this could be another low-scoring affair.
Verdict: Under 2,5 goals scored – yes
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: 888sport
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