Real Madrid host bitter rivals Atletico in tonight’s high stakes La Liga encounter where the two Madrid teams will go head-to-head at the Santiago Bernabeu. Atletico Madrid have been in fine touch, the LosĀ Rojiblancos comfortably beat minnows Huesca 3-0 and Diego Simeone could even give star men, Diego Costa, and Antoine Griezmann some well-deserved rest for Majority of the second Half. Real, on the other hand, are just coming off of a demoralizing 3-0 loss against Sevilla and Julen Lopetegui would be hoping to bounce back against Atletico in this Season’s first Madrid Derby.
š„ #RealMadridAtleti š„
It's not football. #ItsLaLiga pic.twitter.com/lEYrQ9LGmu
— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) September 28, 2018
Team News
Real Madrid –Ā Left-Back Marcelo is ruled out of the Derby with a Calf Injury sustained against Sevilla and Alvaro Odriozola is expected to fill in at Right-back while Nacho is expected to take up duties at Left-back in the Brazilian’s absence. Isco is also out after undergoing surgery for AppendicitisĀ on Tuesday and will be missing his second game for the Los Blancos.Ā
Predicted XI: Courtois, Nacho, Varane, Ramos, Odriozola, Casemiro, Kroos, Modric, Asensio, Benzema, Bale
Atletico Madrid –Ā Stefan Savic (Concussion) and New Signing Santiago Arias (Rib) remain injured. Jose Maria Gimenez has recovered from a knock and is likely to start with Diego Godin in defence. Lucas Hernandez has been given the nod to play at Left-Back while new CDM Signing Rodri is expected to start at the middle of the park as well.
Predicted XI: Oblak, Hernandez, Godin, Gimenez, Juanfran, Rodri, Saul, Koke, Correa, Costa, Griezmann
Key Players
Real Madrid – Gareth Bale
Full focus on el derbi madrileƱo at the Bernabeu. Letās bring it on! ššŖ#X18 #HalaMadrid #HereToCreate pic.twitter.com/OBtraOJFu9
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) September 28, 2018
Since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, the onus has been on Gareth Bale to step up and the Madrid fans will demand nothing less than a win from the Welshman.
Atletico Madrid – Antoine Griezmann
Atletico Madrid are now unbeaten in their last five LaLiga games at the BernabƩu.
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Antoine Griezmann has scored in each of the last three. pic.twitter.com/Kx9TbM98rq
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 8, 2018
Griezmann loves playing at the Bernabeu and the Frenchman will be looking to continue his good form against Rivals Real.
Prediction: Real Madrid 2 – 2 Atletico Madrid
Real are definitely more vulnerable now than ever but the Los Blancos still seem to have enough firepower to stop an in-form Atleti team.
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