Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid: Match Preview & prediction.

The biggest fixture in the European calendar this weekend takes place in the Spanish capital as Real and Atletico Madrid do battle in a pivotal clash in the context of the La Liga title race.

Diego Simeone’s ever-evolving Atleti took command of the division before they were stunned at Leganes last month, but they recovered swiftly and rediscovered their imperious groove ahead of the derby.

The visitors boast La Liga’s meanest defence but are also mightily exciting going forward. They’ve scored 11 times in their most recent three outings and are hunting their first win at the Bernabeu since 2016. Victory for Atleti would see them leapfrog their Madrid rivals at the summit and blow the race wide open.

Real’s advantage at the top is a mere point after they were beaten by Espanyol last weekend. Far more questions surround Carlo Ancelotti’s side than Simeone’s heading into the derby, and the league leaders were hardly convincing in midweek as they edged past Leganes in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals. Atletico put Getafe to the sword the night before to also advance into the semi-finals.

While Saturday’s bout won’t decide the La Liga title, it will have a huge bearing on the dynamic at the division’s summit.

Real Madrid team news

Madrid are without their three senior defenders on Saturday night / GettyImages

Madrid have availability issues in defence and Ancelotti may have to wheel out a back four he never would’ve considered using for a fixture of this magnitude. With Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, and Eder Militao all out, Aurelien Tchouameni is likely to partner Raul Asencio at centre-back.

Lucas Vazquez will continue to fill in for Dani Carvajal down the right, while Ancelotti will choose between Ferland Mendy and Fran Garcia on the opposite flank.

The Italian could opt for extra beef in the middle of the park in a bid to supply balance against an Atleti team that counter-attacks superbly. Jude Bellingham may have to perform a more restricted role and operate closer to the midfield pivot.

Eduardo Camavinga should be back in action.

Atletico Madrid team news

Robin Le Normand is suspended for the derby /GettyImages

The visitors are in much better shape on the injury front, although summer arrival Robin Le Normand is suspended for the derby. Clement Lenglet featured heavily while Le Normand was out with a significant head injury, and the Frenchman is expected to deputise this weekend.

Thomas Lemar and Rodrigo Riquelme are Atleti’s only other expected absentees.

Englishman Conor Gallagher has enjoyed a run in the team and should start on Saturday, while Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann are blossoming into a majestic double-team up top.

Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid score prediction

It’s been a while since Simeone oversaw a victory on this ground, but Atletico are primed to prevail this weekend.

Madrid’s talent cannot be denied, and they will be in this title race until the last. However, good teams are finding ways of ruthlessly exposing their distinct flaws, and Atletico are built to thrive against sides of Madrid’s imbalance.

The league’s best defence could keep a star-studded frontline at bay just enough to facilitate a dominant performance from the visitors in transition against an injury-hit backline without a sound enough structure ahead of them.

Prediction: Real Madrid 1-2 Atletico Madrid

Credit:90Min