Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid
12 December 2000hrs
Football – Spain – La Liga
Pick Real Madrid
Bookmaker Betway
Odds: 21/20 odds taken 2000 GMT, Saturday 11 December
Leaders Real Madrid take on their city rivals and current champions Atletico at the Bernabeu on Sunday looking to extend their lead at the top of the table.
Table of Contents
Real Madrid Preview – Can Real make it 10 straight wins in all competitions?
Carlo Ancelotti returned to take charge of Real Madrid this summer, six years after leaving, and the initial reaction was not overwhelmingly positive taking over from Zinedine Zidane. Now, six months into his second spell and the feeling is that it could well be an inspired appointment. The Italian had been in the wilderness a bit in terms of the elite level but he has his team eight points clear at the top of La Liga and safely through to the knockout stages of the Champions League as group winners.
Real come into this match looking to continue their excellent winning run which stands at nine in all competitions and six in the league.
There is an understanding that it may not be the same level as his 2014 Champions League winning team but it’s a group of players who are improving and winning at the same time. What’s been particularly impressive is their defensive record, especially of late. They’ve kept four clean sheets in their last five and not conceded more than one goal since the 3rd of October.
They’re also looking dynamic and threatening up top with Karim Benzema leading the way. He has 12 goals in La Liga alone and will be looking to break through the 20 goal barrier in the league for a fourth straight season and a sixth overall in his Real Madrid career.
Atletico Madrid Preview – Will Atleti get a win that would just about keep them in the title race?
Atletico just about held on to win the title last season but a repeat of that is looking more unlikely by the week. The reigning champions are now 10 points behind their rivals having lost last weekend, albeit they do have a game in hand. It makes this game a must not lose but a win would ensure they not only move closer to the leaders in terms of points but also that they are capable of winning the crunch games.
Atleti also qualified for the knockout stages of the Champions League this week but it was in more laborious fashion.
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The issue, as it always seems to be for Diego Simeone’s team, is they are drawing too many games. No team has drawn more than them in the top eight and it is the difference between them and where their next opponents are. They’ve won three of their last seven with the same number of draws in that run and the aforementioned defeat last time out (a surprise 2-1 loss at home to Mallorca).
Another indication of their inferiority to Real is in terms of goals. Despite having the second best attack in the league Atleti have scored 10 fewer than the leaders.
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid Betting Advice
These games always bring with it plenty of passion and desire and the fact it sees the current leaders take on the reigning champions adds a bit of extra meaning to this game. It’s also the first Madrid derby to take place in front of a capacity crowd in nearly two years.
Whilst there is plenty to admire about these games they are not always the most entertaining. Only one of the last eight meetings in La Liga have went over 2.5 goals. No surprise really with the way Simeone sets his team up more often than not.
Key Facts – Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid Betting Tip
- Real are unbeaten in their last 17 home matches in La Liga, winning 12 of them
- Atleti come into this match having lost only one of their last 10 away games in the league
- Seven out the last eight meetings between the teams have had two or less goals in them
It is hard to see past Real here who have not lost a league game against Atleti since 2016. Benzema will feel he can get the better of the visitor’s defence and I’m taking him to be the difference.
Best Betting Odds for Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid
