Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid
Real Madrid head to the Civitas Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday in search of a seventh win this season across all competitions.
We are still in mid-September, and Carlo Ancelotti’s team has made a perfect start to the campaign, topping the La Liga table on 15 points and off the mark in the Champions League.
Real Madrid face a Los Rojiblancos side who have made a more modest start to their campaign in seventh place with seven points, but with a game in hand, a win for Diego Simeone’s side could well spark their season into life.
While Los Blancos have won six games from six, they have not yet blown anyone away, and that makes this La Liga contest a fascinating prospect.
Los Rojiblancos have played three of their four games away from home and, while they lost badly to Valencia last week, Simeone’s team spanked Rayo Vallecano 7-0 just before the international break.
The Madrid giants were in Champions League action this week and late goals turned both results.
A 94th minute Jude Bellingham strike gave Real a 1-0 win over Union Berlin, while Atletico drew 1-1 with Lazio when the Italian side scored a last-gasp winner when keeper Ivan Providel headed home from a corner.
Simeone and his men will still be stinging from that blow, and they will be keen to take it out on the league leaders.
Talking Points
Atleti prepare for lift off
Being eight points behind Los Blancos so early in the campaign will not please Simeone one bit, but with a game in hand, as a clash with struggling Sevilla was postponed due to flood risks, a win on Sunday could potentially reduce that gap to two points.
However, that is easier said than done, of course. This is the type of game Simeone revels in, and he will make it a high intensity, high pressure affair in an attempt to unsettle his opponents.
The Atleti boss was appalled by the way his team rolled over in a 3-0 defeat to Valencia last week and, while they were stung by Lazio’s late leveller on Wednesday, his team responded well and now he hopes the sense of injustice will be enough to push them on against their fierce local rivals.
Star striker Antoine Griezmann issued a rallying call to his teammates in the aftermath of their Champions League opener
“We played a great match and can leave with our heads held high. This is the image we want to portray – everyone attacking, defending and forgetting Valencia. We have to achieve something big,” said the Frenchman.
Simeone has midfielder Koke and striker Memphis Depay available again, but they are waiting for the La Liga 2023 updates regarding the fitness of Rodrigo De Paul.
Momentum is key for Real
Los Blancos have started very well, and Ancelotti has much to be happy with. But the vastly experienced head coach will not allow his players to become satisfied with their start, as he knows too well the 2023 champions Barcelona are breathing down their necks and could go top of the league before the Madrid Derby kicks off, assuming Xavi’s team beats Celta Vigo on Saturday.
The man writing all the headlines in Madrid is summer recruit Jude Bellingham, who has scored five goals in the league and bagged the late winner in Real Madrid’s Champions League opener against Union Berlin on Wednesday.
It could hardly have gone better for the 20-year-old midfielder. He’s a high energy box-to-box player who is surely set to have his best scoring campaign so far, having scored 12 in 92 games for Borussia Dortmund.
With Vinicius Jr. still sidelined, Bellingham’s goals have been crucial for Los Blancos, but it is a lot to ask for him to continue to lead the charge in attack.
Another summer recruit, Joselu, is doing his bit, scoring the winner in Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Real Sociedad last week.
History
Los Blancos have had much the better of the head-to-heads with 41 wins to Atleti’s 13, and there have been 21 draws in all competitions since 1993.
When they met at the Santiago Bernabeu last February, the game finished 1-1 as Los Blancos’ 2023 title aspirations began to fade.
In terms of recent form, Real Madrid have had a perfect start to the campaign and have won six games on the bounce, while Atleti have won two games, drawn three, and lost one, although Atleti are unbeaten in 12 games at home.
The La Liga 2023 betting odds slightly favour Los Blancos, but I’m not so sure.
Betting Tip
The hosts are at SBOTOP odds of 2.66 to win this blockbuster clash and 3.11 to draw, while Los Blancos are at 2.33, so this is a wide open game.
It’s Real Madrid’s biggest test so far, and they have laboured to some of their wins so far, relying on a moment of inspiration from Jude Bellingham.
Los Rojiblancos will make it difficult for their visitors, and it will be intriguing to see how the league leaders cope with the pressure.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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