Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid: Team news, head-to-head record, key stats

It’s El Derbi Madrileno this weekend as the Madrid giants, Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid and Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid, collide and go head to head in a massive fixture that could have high consequences for the title race of the Spanish top flight.

El Cholo’s men welcome Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid to the Wanda Metropolitano to set up a mouth-watering clash for matchday 26 of La Liga Santander. The game is set to kick off on Sunday afternoon at 15:15 GMT, with referee Alejandro Hernandez allotted to oversee the proceedings.

I think it’s fair to say that this is the most awaited Madrid derby in recent years because of what’s at stake here — 90 minutes of football that could completely change the course of the title race. Los Blancos will be eyeing to cut the deficit to two points while the neighbours will be hoping to take all 3 points which could put them in pole position to bring the La Liga trophy to the red and white side of Madrid.

Atletico Madrid sit on the top of the table with 58 points with a game left in hand, five more than second-placed Barcelona, while the visitors currently sit in 3rd place divided on goal difference.

Atletico Madrid come into this game on the back of a 2-0 win over Unai Emery’s Villarreal at the Estadio de la Ceramica. An own goal from left-back Alfonso Pedraza and a goal from Joao Felix sealed the game in favour of Diego Simeone while Real Madrid had to come back from a goal down to and had to fight to salvage a 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad on Tuesday at the Estadio Alfredo di Stefano.

The first Madrid derby of the season had ended in a 2-0 win for Real Madrid courtesy of a goal from Casemiro and an own goal by Jan Oblak. Ahead of their latest meeting this Sunday afternoon, let’s take a look a closer look at both teams.

Team News: Real Madrid

Real have recently been boosted by the returns of talisman Karim Benzema, Federico Valverde, Marcelo and Rodrygo Goes as all four players are available for selection in the Madrid derby while Eden Hazard, Mariano Diaz, Dani Carvajal and Sergio Ramos are all unavailable due to injuries.
It is still unknown as to which formation Zidane will use, but Zizou could decide to revert to a midfield four for this game, like he has always done in big games, with either Isco or Fede Valverde joining Toni Kroos, Casemiro, and Luka Modric in the middle of the park. Even though Eder Militao has been passed fit for the Derby, the back four of Ferland Mendy-Nacho Fernandez-Raphael Varane-Lucas Vazquez should remain the same to keep the momentum going. Karim Benzema is expected to spearhead the attack line, while Vinicius could be rewarded for his goal against Real Sociedad with a spot in the front two/three, meaning that one of Marco Asensio or Vinicius is likely to drop down to the bench if Zidane opts for the 4-4-2.

Real Madrid probable starting lineup:
Courtois; Vazquez, Nacho, Varane, Mendy; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos, Isco; Benzema, Vinicius Jr.

Domestic Record: 16 Wins-5 Draws-4 Losses.

Current League Position: 3rd, 53 points (2.12 per game)

Away Record: 28 points (8-4-1)

Goals Scored: 43 (1.72 per game), Goals Against: 20 (0.80 per game)

xG (expected goals): 39.2, xGA (expected goals against): 24.8.

Form guide in La Liga: W-W-W-W-D

Form guide in all competitions: W-W-W-W-D

Team News: Atletico Madrid

Atletico are again expected to be without the services of central defender Jose Gimenez due to an adductor injury, so Felipe should continue in the back three alongside Savic and Mario Hermoso. The hosts should be boosted by the return of Yannick Carrasco, who has been on the sidelines recently with a foot problem and also Kieran Trippier after having served his 10-week suspension for a betting charge.
Joao Felix could be given the nod over Angel Correa to start alongside Luis Suarez to form a two-man attack partnership, while Saul Niguez is expected to feature in the middle of the park alongside Koke and Marcos Llorente. Thomas Lemar also has been passed fit after knocks, but is expected to be starting on the bench.

Atletico Madrid probable starting lineup:
Oblak; Savic, Felipe, Hermoso; Trippier, Llorente, Koke, Saul, Carrasco; Felix, Suarez.

Domestic Record: 18 Wins-4 Draws-2 Losses,

Current League Position: 1st, 58 points (2.42 per game)

Home Record: 29 points (9-2-1)

Goals Scored: 47 (1.96 per game), Goals Against: 16 (0.67 per game)

xG (expected goals): 31.6, xGA (expected goals against): 19.4.

Form guide in La Liga: D-W-D-L-W-

Form guide in all competitions: W-D-L-L-W

All statistics from fbref.com

Head to head record, last 5 games

La Liga: 13th Dec 2020 – Real Madrid 2-0 Atletico Madrid
La Liga: 1st Feb 2020 – Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico Madrid
Spanish Super Cup: 12th Jan 2020 – Real Madrid 0-0 Atletico Madrid
La Liga: 29th Sep 2019 – Atletico Madrid 0-0 Real Madrid
La Liga: 9th Feb 2019 – Atletico Madrid 1-3 Real Madrid

Key Stats

Atletico Madrid have not beaten Real Madrid in the league since a 1-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu dating back to February 2016. There have been a plenty of draws in recent years, as the pair have shared points in five of their last eight encounters in the Spanish top flight.

— Real Madrid are undefeated in nine of their last ten matches against Atletico Madrid in all competitions.

— Atletico Madrid have failed to win any of their last nine La Liga games against Real Madrid (5 draws, 4 losses)

— Real Madrid haven’t lost any of their three games at the Wanda Metropolitano in La Liga (1 Win, 2 Draws).

— Atletico Madrid have failed to score in their last three games against Real Madrid in La Liga.

— Real Madrid have lost just one of their last 15 matches in La Liga, with that defeat coming against Levante back in January.

Atletico Madrid have only two wins in their last five league games, but if history has taught us anything, it’s to never underestimate Diego Simeone’s Atleti in a big game. If anything, it will definitely be an exciting watch given the nature of the game.