Real Madrid have been inconsistent this season and have had a host of draws. But the profligacy of the other teams means that they are still on top of the table, which is extremely competitive this year
Cristiano Ronaldo and co. are gearing up for the Madrid derby which will probably be their toughest assignment till now this season. They will be aware of the possibility of losing their top of the table status with Barcelona breathing down their neck. Real are unbeaten till now and are the only team in the league to remain so but they need more than just a draw but with the match taking place at the Vicente Calderon, it might well be a positive point instead of two points being dropped for them.
Real have faced tough competition from Borussia Dortmund in the UCL and from the likes of Barca, Villarreal and Atletico in the League. The match is likely to come too soon for some of the main stars who have been missing and Atletico will be looking to exploit the defence which hasn’t been their strongest point this season.
On the other hand, Atletico have hit a sort of rough patch losing 2 matches in their last 3 which were incidentally their first couple of losses of the season. As always this will be a fiery and high on adrenaline contest.
T4O’s PREDICTED REAL MADRID LINE-UP VS ATLETICO MADRID (4-3-3)
DEFENCE
Keylor Navas will be in goal but going by his displays this season, he hasn’t been the same player since coming back from injury and needs to improve a lot to get alongside the level expected of a Los Blancos keeper. Daniel Carvajal will be at right-back and with the relative inexperience in the back-line, he has to be careful so as not to add to the situation with individual errors. Varane and Nacho might have to continue at the heart of the defence while Marcelo will bring in much-needed experience at left-back.
MIDFIELD
Real have been hit hard in midfield with Kroos joining Casemiro in the treatment room. This leaves behind Modric from the 3 who had started the season so brilliantly. Modric will be coming in which might see a positional shuffle for Kovacic. Isco or James Rodriguez will take up another slot.
ATTACK
Cristiano Ronaldo will be eager to get on the field after scoring a brace for Portugal in midweek and opposite him, Gareth Bale will look to continue his recent goal-scoring patch. Morata might come in as the lone striker in case Benzema fails to recover in time for the derby.
