Atlético Madrid vs Real Madrid betting tips: La Liga preview, predictions, team news and odds
Table of Contents
Atlético Madrid vs Real Madrid odds and betting statistics
[STATISTICS]
Atlético Madrid vs Real Madrid recommended bets
[RECOMMENDED_BETS]
Atlético Madrid vs Real Madrid match preview
It’s time for the first Madrid derby of the season, with Real Madrid putting their 100% start to the new season on the line.
Last Sunday night, los Blancos came from behind to beat Real Sociedad 2-1, with Fede Valverde equalising shortly after half time, before Joselu proved to be the match-winner.
This leaves Carlo Ancelotti’s team top of the table, as the only team with maximum points after five rounds of fixtures.
Across the city, Atlético Madrid could also boast a perfect record until last weekend, when they were surprisingly and embarrassingly smashed 3-0 by Valencia at Mestalla.
Diego Simeone himself called this the worst performance by his team for a very long time.
Los Colchoneros looked set to bounce back in Tuesday night’s Champions League clash, leading Lazio 1-0 at Stadio Olimpico, courtesy of Pablo Barrios’ long-range, deflected shot.
The following evening, there was more late drama in Real Madrid’s Champions League opener, as they welcomed competition debutants Union Berlin to the Bernabéu.
Despite having over 30 shots, to Union’s four, the game looked set to end goalless until, right at the death, Jude Bellingham poked home, sparking wild celebrations and snatching victory for los Merengues.
Given all of that, despite being on the road, Real Madrid have to come into this huge derby as favourites, so can Atleti claim a famous victory over their fierce rivals at Cívitas Metropolitano?
Atlético Madrid team news
José María Giménez has been on the bench for Atleti’s last two games, but will certainly return to the defence for this one.
In less good news, Thomas Lemar suffered a potentially season-ending injury last weekend, meaning Saúl Ñíguez will keep his place in midfield.
Çağlar Söyüncü, Koke and Memphis are also sidelined, but they do have Antoine Griezmann, who will be aiming to add to his eight career goals against Real Madrid.
Predicted XI (5-3-2): Oblak; Azpilicueta, Savić, Giménez, Hermoso, Lino; Barrios, Llorente, Saúl Ñíguez; Griezmann, Morata.
Real Madrid team news
The visitors are without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who could miss the entire season, Éder Militão, Arda Güler and Vinícius Júnior, the latter trio are hoping to be back soon.
In light of Courtois’ ACL injury, Kepa Arrizabalaga joined on loan from Chelsea and is the number one goalkeeper.
Dani Carvajal missed the mid-week win over Union Berlin, so Lucas Vázquez will continue to deputise at right-back.
Elsewhere along the back-line, new signing Fran García has come in for some criticism, meaning Nacho could get the nod at centre-back, with David Alaba over on the left.
Carlo Ancelotti will continue to deploy a midfield diamond, essentially because he has an abundance of central midfielders to choose from,.
Toni Kroos and Fede Valverde were left on the bench in the Champions League, with both hoping to return in place of Eduardo Camavinga or Aurélien Tchouaméni.
The absence of Vini Jr means Joselu will lead the attack, but Jude Bellingham remains the main man for goals, bagging his seventh for club and country this season on Wednesday.
Predicted XI (4-3-1-2): Arrizabalaga; Vázquez, Rüdiger, Nacho, Alaba; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Modrić; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Joselu.
La Liga table
[LEAGUE_TABLE]
La Liga fixtures
[FIXTURES]
