The latest Madrid derby is set to kick off at the stunning Wanda Metropolitano this Sunday, with Atlético Madrid taking on Real Madrid in La Liga.
Currently, Atlético sits third in the league with 15 points from their first seven matches, while the reigning champions, Real Madrid, are in second place with 17 points, trailing Barcelona by four.
Atlético last lifted the La Liga trophy in the 2020-21 season, and not many expect them to finish above Real Madrid and Barcelona this year. However, a victory in this derby would certainly make a statement in the title race.
Under Diego Simeone, Atlético hasn't quite hit their stride yet this season, but they remain unbeaten with four wins and three draws. They boast the best defensive record in La Liga, having conceded just three goals, and have kept clean sheets in five of their last six league games.
After a frustrating 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano last weekend, they bounced back on Thursday with a last-minute goal from Julian Alvarez, securing a 1-0 win over Celta Vigo. They’ve now claimed four victories in their last five matches across all competitions.
The hosts know they face a tough challenge, but they were the last team to beat Real Madrid in La Liga, pulling off a 3-1 win at Wanda Metropolitano back in September 2023.
On the other hand, Real Madrid is riding a 39-match unbeaten streak in La Liga, inching closer to Barcelona’s record of 43 set in 2017-18. Carlo Ancelotti’s squad, fresh off a La Liga and Champions League double last season, is a favorite again this year, bolstered by the addition of Kylian Mbappé, although he will miss this derby due to injury.
Real Madrid has won five and drawn two of their seven league matches, putting them second in the table, four points behind Barcelona. They come into this match on a five-game winning streak across all competitions, including a 3-1 victory over Stuttgart in their Champions League opener on September 17.
With home wins against Espanyol and Alaves in their last two league outings, Ancelotti's men face a busy schedule ahead, including matches against Atlético and Villarreal in La Liga, along with a Champions League fixture against Lille.
Historically, Real Madrid has won 116 of their 236 encounters with Atlético in all competitions, but recent matchups have shown that the Red and Whites have also enjoyed their share of success.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Atlético Madrid will be missing Cesar Azpilicueta, Thomas Lemar, and Pablo Barrios due to injuries, but they are otherwise in great shape for their clash with Real Madrid.
There are likely to be changes to the lineup that secured a 1-0 win over Celta Vigo, with players like Julian Alvarez, Rodrigo De Paul, and Samuel Lino expected to return to the starting XI.
Alexander Sorloth may be the one to drop out, as Alvarez is likely to partner Antoine Griezmann up front. Conor Gallagher will also experience his first Madrid derby this weekend after joining from Chelsea this summer.
On the Real Madrid side, the big news is the absence of leading goalscorer Kylian Mbappé, who is sidelined with a thigh injury he picked up against Alaves. Brahim Diaz, Dani Ceballos, and David Alaba are also out, but Eduardo Camavinga is set to make his return after recovering from a knee injury sustained earlier in the season. Dani Carvajal will also be back, having overcome the knock that kept him out of the last match against Alaves.
With Mbappé unavailable, Ancelotti is expected to switch to a 4-3-1-2 formation, which he used frequently last season. This setup will allow Jude Bellingham to play just behind Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, with Luka Modric likely to start in midfield.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:
Oblak; Le Normand, Gimenez, Reinildo; Llorente, De Paul, Koke, Gallagher, Lino; Alvarez, Griezmann
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Modric; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius
EXPERT PREDICTIONS
Atletico Madrid 1-1 Real Madrid
In their last La Liga matchup in February, the two teams ended in a 1-1 draw, and I can see a similar result happening again. Mbappé’s absence is a big blow for Real Madrid, while Atlético Madrid is doing an excellent job of keeping clean sheets right now.
Given these factors, a low-scoring draw seems likely something both managers would probably be happy with before the match starts.
