Real Madrid: 3 bold predictions against Atletico Madrid

Real Madrid will face Atletico Madrid on Saturday afternoon at the Santiago Bernabeu, and here are three bold predictions for Los Blancos.

In 210 minutes of regulation time against each other, neither Real Madrid nor Atletico Madrid have scored a goal. Los Blancos defeated Atleti in the final of the Spanish Supercup, but they needed penalties to secure their first trophy of the season.

After drawing 0-0 at the Wanda despite outplaying their crosstown rivals, Real will want to obtain all three points in front of their home supporters. Between their recent wins over Sevilla at home and Real Valladolid on the road, Los Blancos have shown that they have the grit to win in the tough games.

Here are three bold predictions for Real Madrid against Atletico Madrid on Matchweek 22 of La Liga.

Real Madrid will score twice

Although Los Blancos have yet to score a goal against Atleti this season, they’ve come close a number of times. Toni Kroos will say that he should have scored multiple goals against Los Rojiblancos, but stellar goalkeeper Jan Oblak, who just might be the best in the world, denied him each time.

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Oblak will still be in between the sticks for Diego Simeone’s side, but even he won’t be able to deny Real on this day. Los Blancos will have a more creative, attacking gameplan, and an energized Karim Benzema will lead the way. A more incisive Real Madrid will boss this game and score two goals to show they can put the ball into the back of the net against even Atleti’s notoriously stingy defense.

Raphael Varane will be MOTM

Real Madrid center back Raphael Varane is already one of the best defenders of his era despite only being 26 years old. He’s stepped up his performances to another level over the past couple of months, even if it’s easy to overlook his contributions at the back end of Real’s defense.

Varane will be his usual, impeccable self defensively against Atleti attack that does not have the quality to threaten him.

Joao Felix’s injury only makes it even less likely for Atleti to put a move past Varane and captain Sergio Ramos.

But Varane won’t just be Man of the Match for his work on defense. Varane has three goals in all competitions for Real and has also been in fine scoring form for the France national team. Both of his La Liga goals have come in the past two months.

He will score again on Saturday, just like he did on Wednesday in the Copa del Rey. Bank on it.

Vinicius will be the difference

Vinicius Junior isn’t guaranteed to start, but with both Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz out of the squad, he is the only young winger in the lineup. Zinedine Zidane may go with Lucas Vazquez as a starter again, but given how well Vinicius has played lately and how poorly Vazquez has played all season, that would be a mistake.

The 19-year-old Brazilian was phenomenal against Real Zaragoza in the Copa del Rey, scoring a goal and providing excitement throughout his time on the pitch. Vinicius is a game-changing player when he’s in the lineup, and when he’s a substitute, nobody on the opposition can stop him from wreaking havoc.

Atletico Madrid have a tight defense that stifles creativity, but Vinicius is one of the few players who can succeed no matter the opponent or the circumstances. His talent and ability to quickly break apart defenses as a ball progressor shine through.

If he’s a starter, he’ll take over the game. And if he’s not, he’ll be the difference-maker off the bench.