It’s another huge weekend of action in Spain and there is no bigger game than the clash at the top of La Liga between leaders Atletico Madrid and arch-rivals Real Madrid.
Cautious Approach for the Capital Derby
Atletico looked to have the Spanish title at their mercy a few weeks ago but their rivals are gathering a head of steam, which puts massive pressure on Diego Simeone’s side as they head into Sunday’s clash with their city rivals.
Real Madrid have won 11 of their last 14 games and with Barcelona unbeaten in their last 14 games, it’s no surprise Atletico are starting to sweat.
They claimed a 2-0 win over Villarreal last week – a much-needed win as just one point from two previous games against Levante was hardly the form of potential champions.
Those results, coupled with a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, means it is understandable if their confidence is not exactly soaring at the minute.
However, they have shown they can keep things tight against the top sides in Spain – clean sheets have been earned against top-six outfits Barcelona, Sevilla, Real Sociedad, Real Betis and in two clashes with Villarreal.
Real have been strong defensively too, so it would be no surprise if there were few goals in the potentially pivotal derby.
Zinedine Zidane’s side beat Atletico 2-0 in December and their last five games have all featured fewer than three goals, with Real conceding just once during that run.
Are you looking forward to seeing @Benzema's magic in #AtletiRealMadrid?
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— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) March 5, 2021
Under 2.5 goals at 2/3 seems like a wise selection in what should be a tight game.
Getafe can gain revenge on Valladolid
Valladolid gained a 2-0 win at Getafe in December but that has been their only win in their last 12 La Liga games, so expect the tables to be turned when the two teams clash on Saturday.
The visitors were struggling after four successive defeats, but all of those losses came against top-six sides and they showed their ability to deal with opposition not quite up to that standard when they recorded a 3-0 win over Valencia.
That success should ensure they are full of confidence and, at odds of 9/5 to win they look decent value, especially considering Valladolid have been in dismal form on their own patch.
They have lost five of their last six home games and that run included a 3-1 reverse to La Liga basement boys Huesca, so it is difficult to be bullish about them ending that poor run.
Cadiz can Win Battle of Out-of-Form Duo
Cadiz and Eibar are both desperate for points to drag themselves away from the relegation zone and it might be worth chancing Cadiz, on offer at a generous 9/4, to come out on top when they meet on Sunday.
They have won just two home games all season but there have been signs of life in the last couple of weeks after they grabbed a draw at Barcelona with a late Alex Fernandez penalty and followed that up with only a 1-0 defeat to Europa League-chasing Real Betis when they were felled by a late goal.
They should take heart from those performances and gain an important three points at the expense of Eibar, who have won just one of their last 14 league games and look vulnerable.
*All odds correct at time of writing.