Real Madrid claimed a vital victory in the El Classico against Barcelona but they have another rival to battle it out with on Saturday.
The Los Blancos will battle it out with Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid who seem to be in a better form at the moment and boss Zinedine Zidane says table-topping Atletico Madrid should “definitely” be considered among favorites to win La Liga this season.
The city rivals will trade tackles in the league on Saturday, with Diego Simeone’s side unbeaten after 10 games and six points clear of champions Real.
“We won the league last year and we want to defend our crown and we will do that until the end,” said Zidane.
“We want to win every game and especially this one as it’s a big game.”
But asked if Atletico should be classed as the team to beat, Zidane replied: “Yes, definitely, they should. That is what they are showing on the pitch.
“They are top of the table and they’ve always been a competitive outfit in that sense. We know them well.”
Atletico Madrid would be looking to pull one over their rivals with the odds in their favour. The Rojiblancos are in a very good form in the League and in Europe as well with both sides qualifiying for the knockout phase of the champions league.
Team News
Real’s inspirational captain Sergio Ramos returned from injury to feature in Wednesday’s Champions League victory over Borussia Monchengladbach and would look to continue from there against Atletico.
Zidane has also revealed that midfielder Federico Valverde and full-back Dani Carvajal will also be in contention for a return.
However, the Los Blancos remain without attacking trio Eden Hazard, Luka Jovic, and Mariano Diaz, as well as midfielder Martin Odegaard.
Atletico defenders Jose Gimenez and Manu Sanchez, as well as striker Diego Costa, will be missing through injury.
Stats and facts heading into the match
- Atletico Madrid have failed to win their last eight La Liga games against Real Madrid after winning four of the previous six against them in the competition.
- Real Madrid have only won one of their last seven home La Liga games against Atletico Madrid but are unbeaten in the last four against them.
- Real Madrid have only lost one of their last 26 Madrilean games in La Liga, 0-1 at Estadio de Vallecas vs Rayo Vallecano in April 2019.
- Atletico Madrid have only lost one of their last eight derbies in the competition, keeping a clean sheet in seven of them.
- Real Madrid have lost two of their last three home La Liga games after avoiding defeat in their previous 20 in the competition.
Prediction
In 47 encounters between the two sides, Real Madrid hold aclear advantage having won 24 games, lost 10 and drawn 13.
The two clubs last faced each other earlier this year, with Real Madrid beating Atletico Madrid 1-0. A second-half goal from French striker Karim Benzema secured the victory for Real Madrid.
But, Real Madrid have been anything but consistent in the La Liga this term and the same can be said about their adventure in Europe too while its been the total oppositie for their city rivals.
Verdict: Real Madrid 1-2 Atletico Madrid
Zidane has to keep winning