Atletico Madrid welcome Real Madrid to the Metropolitano Stadium for the first derby of the season in the Spanish La Liga. The hosts are still trying to find their rhythm this season and face a Los Blancos side looking to maintain their perfect start.
Atletico Madrid are currently ninth in La Liga and have endured an uncharacteristically slow start to the season. They have picked up just two wins from six League matches so far, but have only been beaten once this season.
Diego Simeone's men claimed a 3-2 home victory over Rayo Vallecano in their previous fixture and will look to build on that result. Their home form has also been solid, having earned two wins and a draw from three matches at the Metropolitano Stadium.
Real Madrid travel to the Metropolitano Stadium off the back of a 4-1 victory at Levante in their previous La Liga fixture. Kylian Mbappe netted a brace while Vinicius Junior and Franco Mastantuono were also on target.
That result maintains Real Madrid’s perfect start to the season, having won their opening seven matches across all competitions. Xabi Alonso's men are currently two points clear at the top of the table and will be keen to strengthen their lead.
How the bookies view it: Little to separate them
There is little to separate both teams among the bookies, with a win for Real Madrid priced at odds of 5/4 by BoyleSports, who are also offering 13/8 for an Atletico Madrid victory. A draw is set at odds of 12/5.
Head to head: Real Madrid with the Edge
Real Madrid have a 32-14 advantage, with 23 draws from 69 previous matches against Atletico Madrid. Both teams played out 1-1 draws in their two La Liga meetings last season and also drew 2-2 on aggregate in the Champions League knockout stage before Los Blancos won on penalties.
Players to watch: Spotlight on Mbappe
Mbappe will be the one to watch for Real Madrid on Saturday, having found the net seven times in La Liga this season. The forward was also on target against Atletico Madrid last season and will be keen to maintain his scoring run (Kylian Mbappe anytime goalscorer – available at 11/10 on BoyleSports).
Julian Alvarez netted a hat-trick against Rayo Vallecano and will be keen to go on a scoring run. The Argentine could be worth keeping an eye on for Atletico Madrid (Julian Alvarez anytime goalscorer – offered at 7/4 by BoyleSports).
Probable line-ups:
Atletico have the trio of Tiago Almada, Johnny Cardoso and Jose Gimenez, all sidelined with injury. However, Jan Oblak is available to start in goal, with Robin Le Normand and Clement Lenglet in defence, while Antoine Griezmann should partner Alvarez in attack.
Real Madrid are without the trio of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger and Ferland Mendy due to injuries. Dean Huijsen is expected to start in defence alongside Eder Militao, while Mbappe and Vinicius are set to continue up front.
Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Hancko, Simeone, Koke, Barrios, Gonzalez, Griezmann, Alvarez
Real Madrid: Courtois, Carvajal, Militao, Huijsen, Carreras, Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham, Mastantuono, Vinicius, Mbappe
Anything else catch the eye?
Four of Real Madrid’s last five matches have produced over 2.5 goals – offered at 8/13 by BoyleSports. Los Blancos have also scored first in five of their last six La Liga matches (Real Madrid to score first – set at odds of 10/11).
The second half has produced more goals in Atletico Madrid’s last two matches (Second half most goals – valued at odds of 20/21).
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