Real Madrid will be squaring off with Atletico de Madrid on Matchday 26 of La Liga Santander at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. The hosts are placed 1st in the points table and will want to build on their healthy five-point lead at the top of the table on Sunday. Real Madrid sloppily dropped points against Real Sociedad last weekend and will be roaring to get back to winning ways at the earliest. Here’s The 4th Official’s preview for the highly anticipated Madrid derby this weekend –
Atletico Madrid Vs Real Madrid Preview
Team News
Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone has a completely fit squad at his disposal except for two casualties in Yannick Ferreira Carrasco and Jose Gimenez. The duo’s availability for the Madrid derby is still unsure and a final decision regarding their participation might be taken by tomorrow evening.
Predicted XI – Oblak, Savic, Felipe, Hermoso, Koke, Vrsaljko, Saul, Llorente, Lemar, Felix, Suarez
Real Madrid
Real Madrid have struggled with injuries all season long and there will be no relief for Zidane on Sunday as well. The availability of Karim Benzema and Eden Hazard is still in doubt. Additionally, Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal and Mariano are not expected to be a part of the proceedings on Sunday evening.
Predicted XI – Courtois, Vasquez, Varane, Nacho, Mendy, Modric, Casemiro, Kroos, Rodrygo, Benzema, Vinicius
Tactics
Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid will be more than happy to sit back and defend in numbers. At the same time, Simeone would want his troops to rush forward in numbers when on the counter. Atleti tried a similar approach when they visited Real Madrid’s Alfredo de Stefano Stadium earlier this season and it did not seem to work for them on that occasion. Atletico are expected to be tough and strong with plenty of physical battles taking place in the centre of the pitch.
Real Madrid
The Whites are expected to be heading into this fixture without an out and out striker and it will be interesting to see the plan Zidane comes up with to outclass Simeone. It will not be wrong to assume that Real Madrid will enjoy the lions share of possession. The likes of Modric and Kroos will need to be at their absolute best in order to penetrate through a well oiled and seasoned back-line of Atletico Madrid.
Atletico Madrid Vs Real Madrid Preview
Key Men
Atletico Madrid
Luis Suarez has been Atletico Madrid’s most lethal weapon this season with 16 goals to his credit along with two assists. The former Barcelona striker may still have unfinished business with Real Madrid and might want to inflict more pain on them on Sunday. In the absence of Sergio Ramos, Suarez might fancy a couple of goals at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Real Madrid
Luka Modric has been one of the standout performers at Real Madrid this season, despite being 35 years old. The Croatian wizard has played week in week out without appropriate rest and given it all for the White shirt of Madrid this season. Modric is a big game player and Simeone will be prepared to keep the midfield maestro tied down in midfield.
