Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid: The latest installment of the Madrid derby will take place at Bernabeu on Saturday evening, with Real Madrid welcoming bitter rivals Atletico Madrid in Spain's top flight.
IIt's once again that time of the year as the Los Blancos will be up against rivals Atletico Madrid in the Madrid Derby at Santiago Bernabeu. Real Madrid have gone through their fair share of ups and downs this season but their last performance against Liverpool at Anfield was a pretty stroll down the memory lane as the defending champions thrashed the Reds 5-2 after being down by 2 goals.
The Los Rojiblancos similarly have managed to get themselves back up after some poor outings, the Diego Simeone side have been on a six-match undefeated streak in the LaLiga which has been their longest this season.
The team managed to get past Athletic Club thanks to a 73rd minute goal from Antoine Griezmann. The side are currently 18 points behind table-toppers Barcelona which puts the title out of question. However, a win in the Madrid derby could be a good way to finish things in what could potentially be Simeone's last season with the club.
Real Madrid will yet again miss out on the services of Ferland Mendy who has been out with a hamstring injury while Belgian forward Eden Hazard once again seems a major uncertainty with concerns over his knee injury. The game against Liverpool saw both David Alaba and Rodrygo been taken off due to injuries and their availability could be a major concern for the home team.
De Paul had to be taken off the field at the hour mark in the previous fixture as the player complained about muscular discomfort. This could be a big blow to the side considering the player's partnership alongside Marcus Llorente and Koke has worked wonders for the team in the lateral stages of the tournament.
The two Madrid-based rivals have met 231 times since their first meeting in 1906. Madrid lead 115-57. Madrid have lost just once in their last 11 meetings with Atleti.
The hosts have seen under 2.5 goals in eight of their last nine games against Atletico across competitions.
There have been under 2.5 goals scored in five of Madrid's last six La Liga games, while Atletico have kept five clean sheets in the same period.
Madrid are unbeaten at home in La Liga this season. Against Atletico, they have kept four clean sheets in four of their last five home meetings.
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois: Nacho, Rudiger, Militao, Carvajal: Modric, Camavinga, Valverde: Vinicius, Asensio, Benzema
Atletico Madrid (4-4-2): Oblak: Molina, Giminez, Hermoso, Mandava: Llorente, Barrios, Koke, Carrasco: Correa, Griezmann
Courtois: Rudiger, Militao, Giminez, Modric, Camavinga, Valverde, Carrasco: Correa, Vinicius, Benzema
