Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid: Prediction, Preview, Lineups and Team News | LaLiga, September 29, 2024

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Preview

• Competition: LaLiga.
• Date: Sunday, September 29.
• Time: 7:00 PM GMT.
• Venue: Civitas Metropolitano.

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid will be this season’s first Madrid derby and will be the final La Liga game of this upcoming weekend as the two juggernauts gear up to face each other.

Atleti will enter this game on the back of a positive start to their season as they have worked hard to remain unbeaten so far in the league. With four wins and three draws to their name, they trail their next opponents by just two points as they sit in third place in the table. Atletico Madrid secured a last-gasp 1-0 win away to Celta Vigo in their last game as Julian Alvarez produced a 90^th minute winner to take his team over the line. They will look to carry that form into the next game.

Los Blancos, on the other hand, have a slightly better record than their fierce crosstown rivals. They have played the same number of games but have won five matches and drawn just two, giving them a two-point cushion heading into this fixture. Real Madrid were comfortably 3-0 up against their last opponent Alaves and held off a late comeback to secure a 3-2 win. They will be wary of any defensive lapses and will try to avoid the same in their next outing.

Having said that, let’s take a look at the team news coming out of both camps.

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Team News

Atletico Madrid Team News

Diego Simeone and his team will enter this game on the back of a relatively short injury list to deal with. However, that short list includes two key midfielders in the form of Rodrigo de Paul and Pablo Barrios. The former missed the last game and should be fit enough to make it to the bench for the next one, while Barrios will remain sidelined for a while. Borja Garces will also miss out.

Real Madrid Team News

Unlike their arch-rivals, Carlo Ancelotti’s side will have to deal with a slightly longer injury list, with striker Kylian Mbappe and some key defensive personnel missing. Mbappe faced some minor discomfort in his left thigh against Alaves and he’s out from Madrid derby. Daniel Carvajal and David Alaba are regular in the backline and will remain sidelined for the next couple of weeks, while defensive midfielder Eduardo Camavinga will also miss out. Midfielder Dani Ceballos and winger Brahim Diaz will also be unavailable.

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Predicted Lineups

Atletico Madrid (4-4-2)

Goalkeeper: Jan Oblak.

Defenders: Nahuel Molina, Robin Le Normand, Jose Maria Gimenez, Reinildo Mandava.

Midfielders: Marcos Llorente, Koke (C), Conor Gallagher, Guiliano Simeone.

Forwards: Antoine Griezmann, Alexander Sorloth.

Real Madrid (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois.

Defenders: Lucas Vazquez (C), Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy.

Midfielders: Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, Jude Bellingham.

Forwards: Rodrygo, Endrick, Vinicius Junior.

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Head-to-Head Record

Atletico Madrid will enter this upcoming Madrid derby with the upper hand as they have secured two wins in the last five meetings between these two giants. Real Madrid have won one game, while two of them have ended in draws.

Key Players to Watch

Conor Gallagher (Atletico Madrid)

Gallagher made the switch to Atletico Madrid from Chelsea this past summer and has fit Simeone’s system and level of demands like a hand in a glove. He has performed consistently in his six appearances for the club so far, and has even notched two goals in the process. With de Paul a doubt for the derby, he will surely start and could be a key figure in Atleti’s midfield.

Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)

Vinicius Junior has been a key contributor for Los Blancos in LaLiga this season. The Brazilian has led from the front and will be expected to carry the load of expectations in Mbappe’s absence. He has provided three assists and scored three goals and will be in the spotlight as the team prepares to visit a tough venue in the Civitas Metropolitano.

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Prediction

Given the recent history between these two sides as well as their recent form, there is very little to separate the two teams. While Atletico Madrid will have home advantage, Real Madrid are mentality monsters and can turn up on any ground and perform at their best. This game could very well end in a score draw.

Prediction: Atletico Madrid 2-2 Real Madrid (Watch Live)

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