Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Preview: Team News & Prediction
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The Madrid derby takes place this weekend at the Metropolitano, with Atletico Madrid seeking to get themselves confidence boosting win against their local rivals.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – ESPN+
Atletico Madrid preview: Tough start
It has been a tough start to the campaign for Atletico Madrid but Los Rojiblancos do come into this one on the back of a thrilling 3-2 victory in another Madrid derby against Rayo Vallecano the other day, in a game in which they were losing until quite late on.
Diego Simeone has been under immense pressure this season and that could have become fever pitch if they had indeed lost to Rayo. Instead, they came from behind to record what is just their second victory of the campaign in La Liga so far this season.
Real Madrid preview: Brilliant Los Blancos
In contrast, Real Madrid continued their 100% record across all competitions in midweek as Los Blancos dispatched of newly-promoted Levante by four goals to one at Estadio Ciutat de Valencia, courtesy of an all-round brilliant team performance.
There are question marks over how much Xabi Alonso truly rates the likes of Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior, but one man who is thriving under his management is Kylian Mbappe, who has now scored seven goals already in the league this year.
Atletico Madrid team news: Sorloth suspended
Ahead of the visit of Madrid across the city this weekend, Atletico will remain without Norway international striker Alexander Sorloth, who is missing through suspension.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): Oblak; Marcos Llorente, Le Normand, Hancko; Nahuel Molina, Pablo Barrios, Koke, Gallagher, Javi Galan; Griezmann, Julian Alvarez
Unavailable: Jose Maria Gimenez (Injured), Johnny (Injured), Almada (Injured), Sorloth (Suspended)
Questionable:
Real Madrid team news: Defensive injuries
Real Madrid continue to have defensive injury issues for this weekend, with both Antonio Rudiger and Trent Alexander-Arnold sidelined, whilst Ferland Mendy is a doubt, too.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Dean Huijsen, Carreras; Fede Valverde, Tchouameni; Mastantuono, Guler, Vinicius Junior; Mbappe
Unavailable: Fran (Injured), Rudiger (Injured), Alexander-Arnold (Injured)
Questionable: Mendy (Injured)
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid prediction
Atletico Madrid have tried to evolve their style this season but Diego Simeone is still too trusting of his previous style of football and so they revert back too quickly. Reverting to that style here is ideal for this one, though, as they seek to soak up pressure against a Madrid side that will dominate the ball. The visitors do, though, also have a very good level of efficiency and effectiveness in the final third and they have to be favourites for this one.
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid tip: Real Madrid to win
