Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid clash in yet another capital derby on Sunday evening, this time in La Liga, where a ten-point gap separates the two teams.
Los Blancos currently sit at the summit of the table, having triumphed in their last six league games consecutively. Their most recent victory was a 2-0 result against Getafe in midweek, away from home.
Atletico enter the Bernabeu in impressive form themselves, having won four of their last five matches in La Liga. The only recent setback was a 4-3 defeat at Girona, who could lead the table before kick-off if they win their game against Real Sociedad on Saturday.
Prediction
Thanks to their prior encounters in La Liga and additional fixtures in the Supercopa de España and Copa del Rey, this marks the fourth meeting between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in the 2023/24 season.
Atletico has been more successful thus far, securing victories in two clashes, but the upcoming match at the Bernabeu poses a new challenge. Diego Simeone's team hasn't won at the stadium since 2016, whereas Los Blancos have only dropped points once in a home fixture this season.
Ancelotti's squad has won three games since their Copa del Rey elimination, although not as convincingly. Another closely contested victory could be on the horizon.
Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Team News
Madrid is anxiously awaiting Antonio Rudiger's fitness update ahead of the capital derby. The German player was substituted at half-time against Getafe, but manager Carlo Ancelotti is optimistic about his timely recovery.
Los Blancos are currently dealing with absences in the central defensive positions, with Eder Militao and David Alaba sidelined due to significant injuries. Thibaut Courtois' non-availability has led to Andriy Lunin taking up regular goalkeeping duties. Additionally, Aurelien Tchouameni is suspended after accumulating his fifth booking of the season.
Speculation continues to circulate about Luka Modric's future. The Croatian midfielder might be entering his final season at the Bernabeu, but it seems unlikely that he will have an extensive farewell tour, given his limited starts in just ten out of a possible 22 La Liga games.
On the other hand, Alvaro Morata is poised to record the best goal-scoring league season of his career, having scored 13 goals in La Liga so far in the 2023/24 season. Unfortunately, a muscle injury will sideline him for the upcoming match against his former club on Sunday. Memphis Depay is the most likely candidate to replace him.
The Spanish striker joins Vitolo, Thomas Lemar, Marcos Paulo, Cesar Azpilicueta, and Jose Gimenez on the sidelines. However, Antoine Griezmann is available and will be aiming to replicate his sensational goal from mid-January when Atleti defeated their city rivals 4-2 in the Copa del Rey.
Predicted Lineups
Real Madrid (4-3-1-2): Lunin; Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Garcia; Valverde, Kroos, Camavinga; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr.
Atletico Madrid (3-5-2): Oblak; Hermoso, Witsel, Reinildo; Molina, De Paul, Koke, Barrios, Lino; Griezmann, Depay.
