ATLETICO MADRID have made a storming start to the season and head into the derby with fans dreaming that Diego Simeone's men can replicate their 2014 title triumph.
European champions Bayern Munich are the only side to have beaten Atletico this term and they sit at the top of the Spanish table as they prepare to head across the city to face Real Madrid.
Simeone's men have racked up eight wins and two draws in La Liga, shipping a measly two goals in the process, and will fancy their chances of staying at the top with Real and Barcelona looking out of sorts.
Zinedine Zidane's side already trail Atletico by six points, having played a game more, so this derby is looking like a must-win clash for the champions.
Both sides head into the derby buoyed by European victories that booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Real were back to their imperious best as they swept Monchengladbach aside 2-0, with Zidane's defence holding firm to frustrate our man Slips Tips, who fancied the Germans to score.
On the same night, Atletico showed their trademark character to see off Salzburg by the same score in Austria as they racked up yet another clean sheet.
So it's shaping up to be an enthralling encounter as the Madrid giants square up for the first time this season.
How the bookies view it
Despite sitting top, the bookies make Atletico outsiders here and they are as a big as 11/5 with SBK. Real's best price is 6/4 with the same firm, who offer the stalemate at 40/17, which may be the best option.
Recent head to head
Real Madrid are unbeaten in the last five derbies but three of those matches were 0-0 stalemates after 90 minutes. Atletico last beat their neighbours in the 2018 UEFA Super Cup (below) and even that 4-2 win came after extra time with the score 2-2 at full-time.
Simeone's men have only beaten Real Madrid once inside 90 minutes in the last 13 meetings, with that 2-1 Champions League semi-final triumph not enough to save them from a 4-2 aggregate defeat.
Players to watch
Luka Modric ran the game for Real Madrid against Monchengladbach and was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet, hitting the post and having a goal ruled out. The Croatian playmaker looks massively overpriced at 19/2 with 888Sport for anytime scorer.
Luis Suarez (below) made his comeback from injury last weekend but I'm not 100 per cent sure if he will start here so I'm wary of backing him at 39/20 with 888Sport for a goal. Strike partner Joao Felix appeals more at 17/5 after he delivered for me against Bayern Munich.
Anything else catch the eye?
We've only seen one goal across the last three Madrid derbies so it's no surprise to see under 2.5 goals at a best 8/11 with BetVictor. But I have a feeling this match will buck the trend because Real need to go for a win and Atletico will try to hit them on the break. Over 2.5 goals is 23/20 with the same firm and I will have a punt on that.
There has been plenty of needle in the derby of late, with their Super Cup clash last season seeing nine yellows and a red. Another derby two seasons ago had eight yellows and another ordering-off so it could pay to back cards here. A red here pays 11/4 with William Hill while Sergio Ramos is a decent 29/20 with BetVictor to be carded.
This La Liga match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will be played on Dec 12, 2020 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
