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Recommended bets
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Match preview
It’s time for the third and final el Derbi Madrileño of the season, with Real Madrid seeking to complete a whitewash over their city-rivals.
Back in September, goals from Rodrygo and then Fede Valverde saw los Blancos win 2-1 at Cívitas Metropolitano.
Then, in last month’s Copa del Rey quarter-final, Real came from a goal down to prevail, with both Karim Benzema and then Vinícius Júnior on target in extra time.
In terms of the table, los Merengues are only two places above Atleti, but the gulf has been far larger than the current gap of ten points would suggest.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team have their eyes firmly focussed on catching Barcelona, even if the current eight-point deficit looks pretty insurmountable.
Despite their recent underwhelming form, Real Madrid’s quality was on show for all to see on Tuesday night in the Champions League.
Back in La Liga, can the champions cut the gap at the top to five points, ahead of Barça trip to Almería on Sunday?
Atlético Madrid meanwhile have, belatedly, found some form, putting them in pole position to secure an 11th successive top four finish.
Los Colchoneros are unbeaten in six, winning four of them, with Antoine Griezmann’s strike downing Athletic Club last Sunday.
Each of their last three wins have been by the same 1-0 scoreline, and Diego Simeone would certainly take another one of these here.
Can Atleti win at the Bernabéu for the first time since 2016, or will Real’s capital city supremacy continue?
Real Madrid team news
Neither Toni Kroos or Aurélien Tchouaméni were fit enough to start at Anfield, with Kroos coming on the final two minutes.
With neither likely to start this one either, the midfield trio could remain unchanged.
At left-back, Ferland Mendy is sidelined and then David Alaba hobbled off after just 27 minutes on Tuesday.
So, Nacho will deputise in that position again.
Karim Benzema and Vinícius Júnior both scored twice against Liverpool, taking their tallies to 18 each for the season.
Real’s next game is the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final against Barcelona on Thursday, but Carlo Ancelotti will pick his strongest available XI here.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Militão, Rüdiger, Nacho; Camavinga, Modrić, Valverde; Rodrygo, Vinícius, Benzema.
Atlético Madrid team news
In stark contrast, Diego Simeone’s team have had a week to prepare for this game, and aren’t in action for another seven days.
Atleti are though without key midfielder Rodrigo de Paul who picked up an injury in last Sunday’s win over Athletic.
Elsewhere, centre-back Stefan Savić, who’s already been sent off three times in 2023, yes really, is suspended.
So, Mario Hermoso will continue to be José María Giménez’s in defence.
In midfield meantime, there are a few candidates to partner Koke, namely Saúl Ñíguez, Axel Witsel, Geoffrey Kondogbia or impressive teenager Pablo Barrios.
Up front, Álvaro Morata could come in as Antoine Griezmann’s partner, with Memphis still building up his match-fitness.
Matt Doherty is still awaiting his debut after joining from Tottenham; remember him?
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Oblak; Molina, Giménez, Hermoso, Reinildo; Witsel, Koke, Llorente, Carrasco; Morata, Griezmann.
Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid: Head to head statistics
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