ATLETICO MADRID VS REAL MADRID
Atletico Madrid host Real Madrid in the latest instalment of the Madrid derby in the Spanish La Liga at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano. Sunday’s clash is a pivotal one at the top of the table and is expected to be an intense encounter.
Real Madrid are currently level on points with Barcelona and five behind leaders Atletico Madrid, so there’s little doubt that this match could have massive consequences for the title race as a whole.
🤯 3️⃣0️⃣ derbies in 8️⃣ seasons!
👊 #AtletiRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/XqsMKcd1Cd— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 4, 2021
Atletico Madrid suffered defeat to Levante in their last home match and will be hoping to recapture the form that has seen them claim eight wins in their last 10 matches at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Real Madrid are coming off a 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad in their last La Liga fixture.
Victory for Los Blancos could change the complexion of the title race, while the hosts will be desperate to put further ground between themselves and their nearest challengers.
TEAM NEWS
Real Madrid have been plagued by injury problems in recent weeks with a number of senior players currently sidelined.
However, they have some good news ahead of Sunday’s match, with striker Karim Benzema would be assessed before the game, after missing the visit of Real Sociedad through injury.
Real’s talismanic skipper Sergio Ramos isn’t expected back until April and so is Daniel Carvajal.
Possible starting lineup for Real Madrid:
Courtois; Mendy, Varane, Nacho, Vazquez; Casemiro, Kroos, Valverde; Isco, Asensio, Benzema
For Atletico, Kieran Trippier remains absent due to suspension, while Yannick Carrasco and Jose Maria Gimenez have also been ruled out due to injuries.
Possible starting lineup for Atletico Madrid:
Oblak; Lodi, Felipe, Savic, Vrsalijko; Lemar, Koke, Saul, Llorente; Suarez, Felix
GAME CHANGERS
Striker Luis Suarez should carry on the goal scoring threat for Atletico Madrid and could get the job done for his current club as well as old colleagues in Barcelona. Portuguese forward Joao Felix would also fancy his chances against an injury-stricken Real Madrid side.
Top performers for Atletico Madrid have been; Luis Suarez 16 goals 2 assists, Marcos Llorente 8 goals 7 assists, Joao Felix 7 goals 4 assists.
In the event that Karim Benzema does start for Los Blancos, it will certainly be a boost for Real Madrid with the striker attempting to add to his 12 La Liga goals.
Top performers for Real Madrid have been; Karim Benzema 12 goals 5 assists, Casemiro 5 goals, Luka Modric 3 goals 2 assists.
PREDICTION
Despite the blip on Monday, Zinedine Zidane’s men remain one of the form sides in La Liga having won four of their last five matches. They have also been excellent on the road lately, winning their last three away fixtures.
A lot may depend on whether or not Benzema can be restored to Zidane’s starting XI and whether or not the Frenchman is at his best.
Real Madrid lead on head to head terms in the derby, with 38 wins from 69 previous meetings. Atletico have claimed 12 victories while there have been 19 draws between both teams.
You have to go back to the summer of 2019—and that unforgettable 7-3 Atleti victory, to find the last time that the Rojiblancos defeated their near neighbours.
Atletico boast the best defence in La Liga, even though they have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight matches.
Atletico only have two wins in their last five league games, but as they demonstrated against Villarreal, they remain lethal when allowed to turn on the class, which is why, FootTheBall says, Atletico Madrid 2-1 Real Madrid.