La Liga: Madrid Derby is Los Blancos’ Biggest Test

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid

The Civitas Metropolitano Stadium is the place to be on Sunday as the Madrid derby takes centre stage as the La Liga blockbuster of the weekend.

Real Madrid come into the game on the back of a Champions League victory over RB Leipzig while Atletico fell foul of Bayer Leverkusen, but both teams won their last La Liga game 4-1. Los Blancos beat Real Mallorca with ease and Atletico saw off Celta Vigo in great style.

Rojiblancos boss Diego Simeone is searching for some consistency, but his side is as dangerous as ever and they will be right up for this game in a noisy and packed stadium.   

Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti’s Los Blancos have been shaping up quite nicely in the league. But the latest La Liga 2022 betting odds place them neck-and-neck with Xavi’s resurgent Barcelona, and anything other than a win at the Metropolitano could see them pass the lead to the Catalans.       

Talking Points

Another 29 minutes for Griezmann?

Los Blancos face an Atleti side which has started the season with a patchy set of La Liga 2022 results and a poor opening to the Champions League.

This erratic start sits Simeone’s side in seventh place in the La Liga table and five points behind the leaders. Los Rojiblancos are yet to put back-to back wins together in their domestic campaign and this would be a great time to put that right.    

But they could do with resolving a bizarre situation surrounding star striker Antoine Griezmann which has meant the French player has been limited to second half substitute appearances.

He is on-loan from Barcelona on a two-year deal which would then become permanent if certain conditions are met. And that means Los Rojiblancos would have to fork out £35-M if the player appears for 30 minutes or upwards in 80-per cent of Atleti’s games.

Griezmann has been appearing as a substitute just after the hour mark and that has been a frustration for him as well as his parent club.

Reports in the French press suggest a compromise has been agreed for Atleti to pay a reduced fee of £22-M, but nothing has yet been agreed and so we may see the France forward appear on 65 minutes or so on Sunday.

He’s scored two goals so far in these limited shows, which would translate to six if he was a full-time player – food for thought for Simeone.  

In terms of injury news, wing-back Sergio Reguillon is out and there will be late fitness tests for goalkeeper Jan Oblak and centre-back Jose Gimenez.    

Real Madrid’s France striker is out

Los Blancos have started the season in stunning form with a 100-per cent record across all competitions but they too have selection problems, most notably the absence of prolific striker Karim Benzema – who was injured during Real’s 3-0 win over Scottish club Celtic.

He picked up a thigh strain and the French star could be out for a few weeks. This means Los Blancos will have to face their biggest test yet without their captain and talisman.

Ancelotti’s men have been sharing the striking responsibility as Vinicius Junior with four goals and Rodrygo – with two goals and two assists – have both been in fine form, while 24-year-old Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde has chipped in with a couple of stunning strikes recently.

In Valverde’s fifth campaign at the Camp Nou, he has already matched his best season tally of three and his last two have been classics.

Last week, he ran from midway inside his own half before unleashing a thunderbolt beyond the Mallorca keeper and in Real’s clash with Red Bull he hit another pile-driver to set Los Blancos on the way to victory. 

History

Los Blancos have had much the better of the head-to-head meetings with three times as many victories as losses over the past three decades.

39 wins to 13 and 20 draws is a very solid record against their city rivals, but Los Rojiblancos are unbeaten in three consecutive home derbies and won the last encounter at the Metropolitano.

In May, Yannick Carrasco scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot just before half-time.

The home fans would give anything for another Simeone special. But in terms of recent form, the visitors have a clear edge with six wins from the last six in all competitions, while Atleti have won three draw one and lost two.   

Betting Tip

At a SBOTOP price of 2.41, Los Blancos are marginal favourites to win this Madrid derby but all three results are well in play, with Atleti at 2.70 and the draw the outside bet at 3.16.

I fancy a 1-1 draw or a 2-1 either way and maybe we can get another goal from the bench for Griezmann.

 

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