La Liga
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Preview
El Derbi Madrileño sees first placed Real Madrid visit cross town rivals Atletico Madrid with only a point separating the two sides.
- Date: Saturday, September 28, 2019
- Time: 3:00 p.m. (EST)
- Network: beIN Sports, FuboTV
- Location: Madrid, Spain
- Venue: Wanda Metropolitano Stadium
- Seating Capacity: 67,829
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Preview
Easily the most exciting game of match-day seven, The Madrid Derby will have the attention of the footballing world. Despite a questionable start, Real Madrid appear to be finding their form with consecutive victories against Levante, Sevilla and Osasuna. Incredibly, limiting their last two opponents to zero shots on target.
At the same time, their local rivals sit in third just one point behind. Although Atletico have bagged 5 less league goals than their visitors, the Mattress Makers are capable of running over any defense. This was best evidenced by their 7-3 demolition of Real in pre-season competition two months ago.
Consequently, revenge will be on the mind of Zinedine Zidane’s team. And while Los Blancos appear to be hitting their stride just in time, nothing is knowable when Madrid’s two giants face one another.
Team News
Atletico coach Diego Simeone is without the services of Alvaro Morata due to the Spanish strikers red card last match. Despite an appeal by the club, La Liga upheld the decision and the former Madrid player will be ineligible to play against his old team. Otherwise, the Argentinian coach has a full squad to choose from.
Conversely, the whites are missing several key players. Namely, midfielder Isco and both left backs Marcelo and Ferland Mendy. Although there is a possibility that the former recovers in time to suit up. Likewise, midfielder Luka Modric is fully recovered from a thigh injury but Zidane may choose not to play the Croatian until the second half.
Predicted Lineups
Atletico Madrid XI: Oblak; Trippier, Savic, Gimenez, Lodi; Saul, Thomas, Koke, Vitolo; Costa, Felix
Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Nacho; Casemiro, Kroos, James, Hazard, Benzema, Bale
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Preview
Real Madrid may have defeated their rivals 3-1 in last seasons edition of this match but the majority of meetings between the two have ended in a draw over recent years.
Whereas the white side of the Spanish capital also dominate the fixture historically, it has no bearing on Saturday’s match or the form in which each team finds themselves.
Furthermore, this new-era derby will see recent signings such as Eden Hazard and Joao Felix facing off for the first time with their respective sides. As a result adding more unpredictability to a match that needed none.
A draw remains the safest and most likely bet and would surely satisfy both managers at this early stage.
Atletico Madrid 1 – 1 Real Madrid
Written by Chris Cartwright
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Photo credit to Real Madrid via Flickr
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