Barcelona are six points clear, and Madrid’s two giants know it. On Sunday, José Mourinho’s Real Madrid visit Diego Simeone’s Atlético at the Metropolitano in the 244th Madrid derby. It is the last game before the international break, and both sides want bragging rights and a stronger title push. Kick-off is 3:15 pm Nigerian time.
Madrid Derby Form Guide
Real Madrid have won five of six league games in Mourinho’s second spell and sit second on 15 points. Atlético are fourth on 13. Real needed a stoppage-time winner from Carlos Espi to beat Elche 3-2 on Tuesday after leading 2-0, and Mourinho admitted his team doesn’t yet know how to control matches. They also lost 1-0 at Real Betis on 4 September.
Atlético bounced back from defeats to Athletic Club and Liverpool with a 3-0 win at Real Sociedad and a 4-0 home win over Osasuna, seven goals without reply. They also have history on their side, as Real have won just one of their last nine visits to the Metropolitano, where they lost 5-2 last year.
Team News and Predicted Lineups
Atlético have injury worries. Julián Álvarez is a major doubt with a muscular strain, and Alexander Sørloth and Pablo Barrios face late fitness tests. Jonathan David is expected to lead the line, with Ademola Lookman in the predicted lineup.
Real Madrid are tipped to bring back Denzel Dumfries at right-back in place of Trent Alexander-Arnold, with Jude Bellingham returning in midfield and Arda Güler back on the right. Dean Huijsen and Ibrahima Konaté are likely to partner up at centre-back.
Key Battles
- Mbappé vs Atlético’s back line: he has scored twice in three Madrid derbies.
- Vinícius Júnior: he is still chasing his first goal at the Metropolitano.
- Simeone vs Mourinho: Simeone says he has great respect for Mourinho, and he called the derby a different kind of match, full of tension and rivalry.
- Atlético’s home record: Simeone has lost just six of his last 60 league games at the Metropolitano.
What’s at Stake
Barcelona won 3-1 at Sevilla on Saturday, taking them to 21 points. A Madrid win would cut the gap to three points. An Atlético win would take them above their neighbours, to 16 points against Madrid’s 15. A draw suits Barça, and nobody else.
Prediction
Both teams have scored freely this season, but Real’s defence has looked shaky, and Atlético are dangerous at home. Our call is a close 2-1 win for Real Madrid, with goals at both ends. This is an opinion, and derbies are famously unpredictable.
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