Zinedine Zidane’s charges maintained their two-point advantage at the summit with a 4-2 victory over Leganes on Wednesday night. It was an eventful game, with five of the six goals coming in the first half, but Madrid’s superior quality ultimately told as they picked up their 22nd win of the league campaign. Los Blancos have not always convinced this season but they have developed a useful habit of getting the job done even when they are below the best, which is precisely why they are closing in on a first league title since 2012. Having won two Champions Leagues in the last three years, it is clear that Madrid are desperate to finish on top of the pile in the Spanish top tier this time around.
Atletico continued their excellent recent run of form with a 1-0 defeat of Real Sociedad in midweek, which means they have now lost only one of their 15 top-flight encounters – a 2-1 reverse against Barcelona in February. There was some concern at the Vicente Calderon earlier this season that Atleti might fail to qualify for next year’s edition of the Champions League, but Diego Simeone’s side have been terrific since the turn of the year, amassing 33 points from the 42 on offer to climb above Sevilla and into third spot. The Colchoneros have rediscovered the qualities that have defined their success under Simeone in the last few years, and a top-four finish is now looking like a near-certainty.
Real Madrid will have to make do without Raphael Varane, but Zidane has no other injury concerns. Alvaro Morata could keep his place ahead of Karim Benzema after scoring a hat-trick against Leganes, but Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric, Gareth Bale and Toni Kroos are all expected to return. Zidane will continue with his customary 4-3-3 setup, with a likely back four of Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Pepe and Marcelo.
Atletico, meanwhile, will be unable to call upon the services Sime Vrsaljko (knee), Miguel Angel Moya (thigh), Tiago (knee) and Nico Gaitan (toe), but Augusto Fernandez and Kevin Gameiro are both hoping to be fit after injury lay-offs of their own. Simeone’s side will line up in a 4-4-2 formation, with Diego Godin, captain Gabi and Antoine Griezmann all set to be key down the spine of the team. On the flanks, Koke and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco will be relied upon to supply the ammunition to the front two.
This is a difficult match to call, with both teams in excellent form heading into Saturday’s derby. Taking everything into account, though, it could be worth taking advantage of the relatively favourable odds available on an Atletico Madrid victory at the home of their fiercest rivals. In the anytime goalscorer market, consider backing Koke to find the back of the net.
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