On Saturday night, Real Madrid will host Atletico Madrid in Spain’s top division for the most recent iteration of the Madrid derby at the Bernabeu.
Team Form
Real Madrid
Due to Barcelona’s incredible record, Real Madrid has little leeway in La Liga. The defending champions are presently second in the standings, eight points behind the division leaders, who will be in league action next Sunday night on the road against Almeria.
The home club enters this match with five straight wins in all competitions, including triumphs against Al Ahly and Al-Hilal earlier this month to win the 2022 Club World Cup. Carlo Ancelotti’s team must keep winning and hope that Barcelona slips up.
Real Madrid has also triumphed in their past two league matches, defeating Elche and Osasuna while scoring six goals and allowing none. On Tuesday night in the Champions League, they crushed Liverpool 5-2 in the first leg of their last-16 match at Anfield.
Although Los Blancos started two goals behind the Reds, they scored five to put themselves in an excellent position to advance to the competition’s quarterfinals.
Real Madrid La Liga form: D W L W W
Real Madrid Form (All Competitions): W W W W W
Atletico Madrid
After finishing last in their group in the Champions League during group play, the Red and Whites are currently out of the European football scene. Atletico Madrid was also eliminated from the Copa del Rey by Real Madrid at the end of January.
As a result, the club’s only attention will be on securing a top-four spot for the remainder of the season, and La Liga play. They are fourth in the standings, four points ahead of Real Betis in fifth, and only two points behind Real Sociedad in third.Ā
Last weekend, they defeated Athletic Bilbao 1-0 thanks to a goal from Antoine Griezmann in the second half.
With the same number of games played, as they are 8 points behind Real Madrid and 18 points behind league leaders Barcelona, Atletico is far from being in contention for the title this season.
Atletico Madrid La Liga Form: W W D W W
Atletico Madrid Form (All Competitions): L W D W W
T-minus 2ā£ days for Real Madrid-Atleti! pic.twitter.com/UQOBgfgYZb
— AtlĆ©tico de Madrid (@atletienglish) February 23, 2023
Squad Report
Real Madrid
Ferland Mendy will be again absent from Real Madrid due to a hamstring ailment. Mariano Diaz is questionable due to the muscle problem that prevented him from travelling to Liverpool.
However, Aurelien Tchouameni has resumed training after overcoming the sickness. The France international might return to central midfield for the match on Saturday.
David Alaba and Rodrygo sustained injuries against Liverpool, and both have been ruled out of this game. David Alaba’s hamstring injury might keep him out for a month, and Rodrygo could miss up to 10 days due to a gluteal problem.
? Rodrygo will miss the games vs:
Atletico Madrid
Barcelona
Real Betis— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) February 23, 2023
Atletico Madrid
Regarding Atletico, Thomas Lemar is anticipated to be out due to injury. Rodrigo de Paul will also be out due to the muscular issue he experienced against Athletic last time.
Nonetheless, the visitors will benefit from Stefan Savic’s return from suspension, as the seasoned centre-back is expected to start in place of Jose Gimenez.
Real Madrid’s possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Nacho; Camavinga, Tchouameni, Kroos; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius
Atletico Madrid’s possible starting lineup:
Oblak; Molina, Savic, Hermoso, Reinildo; Llorente, Barrios, Koke, Carrasco; Griezmann, Morata
Head to Head
The two rivals from Madrid have faced off 231 times since their first encounter in 1906. Madrid is ahead 115ā57.
In their last 11 encounters with Atleti, Madrid has only once lost.Ā
Time, Date & Venue
Date: Saturday, February 25
Time: 05:30 pm, UK Time
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu stadium, MadridĀ
Prediction
After the Athletic-Atletico match ended, Atletico has been practising for this game. They have gone undefeated in their past six league games and have won four of their last five.Ā
On the other hand, Real Madrid diverted their attention throughout the preparation, which can give the guests the upper hand.
Yet, given that this Atletico team is different from prior iterations, we anticipate that Ancelotti’s team will successfully navigate to a crucial three points this weekend.
