Real Madrid continue preparations for the derby
The team completed their second training session at Real Madrid City in preparation for the derby with Atlético de Madrid on LaLiga matchday 17 at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid: Line-ups
Real Madrid
Atletico Madrid
Atletico To Make It Tough For Real
#1
Los Blancos have been excellent this season, though, securing their spot in the knockout round of the Champions League as Group D winners, in addition to sitting eight points clear at the top of La Liga. Indeed, a record of 12 wins, three draws and one defeat from 16 matches has brought Carlo Ancelotti’s side 39 points, leaving them eight clear of second-placed Sevilla and 10 ahead of Atletico in fourth, although both teams have a game in hand over the current leaders.
#2
Real Madrid have incredibly won each of their last nine matches in all competitions, including a 2-0 success over Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday, while they ran out 2-0 winners over Real Sociedad in the league last weekend courtesy of goals from Vinicius Junior and Luka Jovic.
#3
Ancelotti’s team now have three league matches ahead of the winter break, facing Atletico, Cadiz and Athletic Bilbao, and it would be difficult to imagine the capital giants being caught in the second half of the campaign if they can open up a double-figure lead heading into the winter break.
#4
Atletico did manage to secure a huge victory in the Champions League on Tuesday, though, recording a 3-1 win over Porto to book their spot in the last-16 stage of the competition as Group B runners-up. The Spanish champions have already dropped points in seven of their 15 league matches this season, but they are the second-highest scorers in La Liga this term behind Real Madrid, finding the back of the net on 27 occasions, although Luis Suarez’s likely absence through injury this weekend is a big blow.
#5
Atletico have not beaten Los Blancos in La Liga since a 1-0 victory at Bernabeu during the 2015-16 campaign, although five of the last eight league meetings between the two sides have finished level, including a 1-1 draw at Wanda Metropolitano back in March.
DPP Verdict
Real Madrid will be confident of putting a 10th straight victory on the board this weekend, and we were initially leaning towards a home success here. Atletico tend to pick up results when they need it the most, though, and we just have a feeling that Simeone’s side will do enough to secure a share of the spoils.
