La Liga: Atleti Can Keep Their Distance In Madrid Derby

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid

All roads lead to Madrid on Sunday afternoon when La Liga leaders Atletico are set to meet archrivals Real at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid is one of the outstanding European matches on offer this weekend, alongside the Manchester Derby in the Premier League, Der Klassiker in the Bundesliga, and Serie A fans have Juventus vs Lazio to look forward to.

What a weekend!

Here at SBOTOP, we’re backing Los Rojiblancos who are currently five points clear to win the Spanish title at odds of 1.50, with Real at 6.00, while Barcelona have snuck into second place at 5.00.

The Blaugrana are showing signs they are up for a fight since they’ve been on a good run in the league and in the Copa del Rey final after turning over a two-goal deficit to beat Sevilla in the semifinal.

If Diego Simeone’s Atleti can take a least a point from this game, they will still be on track. A win would all but see off the Los Blancos’ challenge, but a defeat would blow the title race wide open.

 

Talking Points

Are Los Rojblancos over their stutter?

After two disappointing results — a 2-0 home defeat to Levante in the league and then a first leg deficit to Chelsea in the Champions League — Diego Simeone’s league leaders responded last week with an impressive 2-0 win away to a dangerous Villarreal as Joao Felix climbed off the bench to settle the match with his seventh league goal of the season.

It was a crucial result for Los Rojiblancos not just in terms of their lead at the top of the table, but it restored their self belief which has been so evident throughout the campaign.

Luis Suarez has been the epitome of Atleti’s confidence. As one of the European signings of the year, he has bagged 16 goals and is second in the race for the Golden Boot behind his old strike partner Lionel Messi who has 19.

The Uruguayan has been well supported by makeshift striker Marcos Llorente who has weighed in with eight goals and five assists, while Felix is improving all the time and Argentine winger Angel Correa has scored four goals and made five assists.

Add into the mix the class of Saul Niguez and Los Rojiblancos have bucket loads of creative talent, while centre-back Stefan Savic has been uncompromising at the back to make the Atleti defence as solid as ever.

 

Real sweating on fitness of Benzema

The latest Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid betting odds have Los Blancos as favourites to win this monumental clash by a wafer thin margin, but much depends on the fitness of top scorer Karim Benzema.

Young star Vinicius Junior came off the bench to score a late goal against Real Sociedad last week and salvage a point for Los Blancos. But Benzema, with 12 goals and five assists, is the main man and he been sorely missed.

His side has scored just a single goal without him in each of the last three games and head coach Zinedine Zidane is hoping he has shaken off his groin injury.

If there is any doubt then Vinicius could be in for a start, while utility forward Isco remains an option.

Los Blancos will try to dominate the middle of the park and to stem the flow of supply to Suarez, and Casemiro is a key man defencively and in attack.

He’s scored five goals while picking up eight yellow cards in his all action displays while the experienced Toni Kroos can always pick a pass, making six assists so far in this campaign.

 

History

When it comes to the head-to-head Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid results, Los Blancos have had much the better of the 69 meetings since 1993 – winning 38, drawing 19, and losing just 12.

Real are unbeaten against their city rivals in four games in all competitions and won the corresponding league match at the Santiago Bernabeu 2-0, thanks to a Casemiro header and an own goal from Jan Oblak.

The Atleti keeper was unlucky when the ball bounced off him into the net after a fierce strike from Dani Carvajal came back off the post.

Despite the absence of crowds, Atleti are strong at home this season – winning nine, drawing three, and losing just one in that surprise defeat to Levante two weeks ago.

 

Betting Tip

	Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid	Atletico Madrid Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 1.96
	March 7, 23:15 (GMT+8)

At 2.59, Los Blancos are marginal favourites to win this clash. Atleti, meanwhile, are at 2.64 and the draw at 2.97.

If Benzema makes the start, then that might give Real the edge. But Atleti are clear at the top of the league for a reason and if they are back to their best, they will keep their neighbours at arms length.

A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR () BETS ARE WORTH:
= €20 (Highly confident)	= €10 (CONFIDENT)	= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)

Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.

 

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The post La Liga: Atleti Can Keep Their Distance In Madrid Derby appeared first on SBOTOP.