La Liga table-toppers Real Madrid are all set to square up against Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid on Saturday afternoon.
Xabi Alonso is preparing for his first Madrid derby as a manager, with high-flying Real Madrid set to visit city rivals Atletico Madrid, who have endured a disappointing start to the season.
The home team are ninth on the points table with just nine points in their six league outings. While they are unbeaten in their last five outings, Atletico Madrid have only managed to win two of those fixtures.
The only positive for Los Rojiblancos is that both their wins have come in their last three outings. Given how inconsistent his team has been, Diego Simeone will be hoping his team bring their best to the table against Los Blancos.
Since Atletico Madrid are already nine points behind the league leaders, Saturday’s fixture is very important for the Colchoneros’ season. It could either get Simeone’s men back on track or rule them out of the title race.
Meanwhile, the visitors have been sensational since the start of the season. Real Madrid have won all six of their league games, and they are the only team in the division with a perfect record. Alonso’s men have a rock-solid defence, having conceded just three goals so far.
The team in white are heading into this fixture on the back of a comfortable 4-1 win over Levante mid-week. It was yet another clinical performance from Alonso’s men, and they will be hoping for a similar performance against Simeone’s team. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Atletico Madrid
While Alex Baena is back in the mix, he is unlikely to start in this fixture. Meanwhile, Jose Gimenez, Johnny Cardoso, and Thiago Almada remain on the sidelines. But, they do have a boost as Alexander Sorloth is back available after serving a suspension.
The home team will stick to the 4-4-2 formation, where Jan Oblak will continue in goal. Marcos Llorente and David Hancko will be the full-backs, while Robin Le Normand will pair up with Clement Lenglet in the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Conor Gallagher and Giovanni Simeone will feature out wide on the flanks, while Koke will partner with Pablo Barrios in a more central role in the centre of the park. Finally, in the offensive third, Alexander Sorloth will be back starting alongside Julian Alvarez in the strike partnership.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Hancko; Simeone, Koke, Barrios, Gallagher; Alvarez, Sorloth
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Predicted XI
Real Madrid
Xabi Alonso remains without the services of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ferland Mendy, and Antonio Rudiger. Apart from the trio, they are in excellent shape.
Against Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid will line up in the 4-3-3 formation, where Thibaut Courtois will be in goal. Dani Carvajal and Alvaro Carreras should be the full-backs, as Eder Militao will return to the starting XI to partner Dean Huijsen.
While Jude Bellingham is back fit, he will have to wait for his first start of the season, as Alonso will most likely prefer having Arda Guler and Federico Valverde alongside Aurelien Tchouameni in the middle of the park.
In the final third, Vinicius Junior and Franco Mastantuono will feature on the flanks, providing width to their attacks. Meanwhile, star striker Kylian Mbappe will lead the line for Real Madrid against Atletico Madrid.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouameni, Guler; Mastantuono, Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Predicted XI
Key Stats
Real Madrid will be looking for their seventh straight win in the league.
The team in white have the best defence in the league, having conceded just three goals in six outings.
Atletico Madrid have been unbeaten in their last five league outings, but they have only won two of those fixtures.
Diego Simeone’s team have already conceded seven goals in their six outings this season.
Each of the last three Madrid derbies have ended in a 1-1 draw.
Player to Watch
Kylian Mbappe
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While he had a slow start to life at Real Madrid, Mbappe finished with 44 goals and five assists in his 59 outings last season. The French international has picked up from where had left off last time out.
The Frenchman already has 10 goal contributions (9 goals, 1 assist) in his seven outings. Mbappe has scored in each of his last three league outings, and he will be eager to add to his tally against Atletico Madrid. With Diego Simeone’s team not at their best, they could struggle to keep the French skipper quiet.
Prediction
Atletico Madrid 2-3 Real Madrid
The Madrid derby promises to be a fiery affair, with Atletico Madrid desperate to close the gap on their city rivals. Despite being unbeaten in their last five league outings, Diego Simeone’s men have lacked consistency and already find themselves nine points behind the leaders.
The hosts will fancy their chances of troubling Real Madrid’s backline. However, they will need to produce a much sharper and more disciplined display than what they have shown so far if they are to stand any chance of halting Los Blancos.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, head into this clash brimming with confidence after making a perfect start to the season. Xabi Alonso’s men have combined defensive solidity with attacking ruthlessness, and the presence of Kylian Mbappe gives them an edge in the final third.
With Vinicius Junior and young sensation Franco Mastantuono offering width and creativity, the visitors will be difficult to contain. The Hard Tackle predicts a hard-fought 3-2 win for Xabi Alonso and his charges.