Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Atletico and Real battle for the soul of the city

The Madrid Derby is more than just a football match, it is a battle for the soul of the city. Atletico represents the working class, while Real Madrid represents the establishment. The two teams have very different cultures and identities, and this is reflected in the way they play football.

Atletico Madrid have struggled for consistency so far this season, they've won two out of their four Laliga matches and faced an unexpected draw against Lazio; Lazio's goalkeeper scored the equalizing goal in the last minute of added time to end the match with a 1-1 scoreline.

Real Madrid have started their season on a high note, they've won all the five matches in the league till now and sit at the top of the table with 15 points. In midweek's clash against Union Berlin, they dominated and found the back of the net in the dying minutes of match, Real is one of the only teams in Europe's top five leagues to start the season unbeaten.

Kick-Off:

Monday, 25 September 2023 at 3:00 PM ET (12:30 AM IST)

Location: Civitas Metropolitan Stadium

Form:

Atletico (in Laliga): W-D-W-L

Real Madrid (in Laliga): W-W-W-W

Players to watch:

Alvaro Morata (Atletico)

Alvaro Morata has entered the 2023-24 season in a good place, he is a versatile striker who can play as a central striker or as a wide forward; he is good in the air and with his feet, and he has a knack for scoring goals, he is also a hard worker and a team player. Morata is club's leading goal scorer in the league with three goals in four matches. Depay's injury has shifted Simone's focus towards Morata in hope of scoring goals and winning matches for the team.

Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)

The 20-year-old has arrived in the Spanish league in some style, he is definitely the starboy for Real Madrid right now. Bellingham has scored clutch goals in dying minutes to win matches for the club, being a midfielder, he has scored six goals in six games for the club in all competitions this season and is the club's top goalscorer as of now. Moreover, he is widely considered to be one of the best young footballers in the world.

Match facts:

• Both squads are wearing thin going into the first Madrid derby of the season, with long respective injury lists.
• Atletico will be looking to bounce back after a 3-0 defeat to Villareal, Real Madrid have gotten over the line since the start of the season and lead at the top of the table.
• Real's chance creation against Union Berlin in the Champions League midweek was the lowest generated all season, Atletico played well and were leading almost the entire match but conceded a late goal.
• Atletico have won only one of their last 14 meetings with Real Madrid in LaLiga, Real Madrid could become the second team to beat them on two consecutive visits to the Metropolitan stadium in LaLiga

Injury & Team News

Memphis Depay has been sidelined due to an injury but he nears a return to the team, and will not be rushed into this high-intensity match. Atletico will be without a further two players available for selection - Caglar Soyuncu and Thomas Lemar. Atletico definitely have their best names out of the squad due to injuries alike the situation at Real Madrid, who are also missing some key players.

Joselu, now seemingly an attacking starter, is the only player to score in his first three home games for Los Blancos since Isco in 2013. Lucas Vazquez is going to replace the injured Dani Carvajal at the right-back position, Vinicius is still recovering from the thigh injury and is among the other players to be in doubt for the Madrid Derby.

Head to Head

Total Matches – 222

Atletico wins – 55

Real Madrid wins – 114

Draws – 53

Predicted Lineup:

Atletico Mmadrid predicted lineup:

Oblak; Hermoso, Jimenez, Savic; Lino, Barrios, Llorente, Niguez, Molina; Morata, Griezmann

Real Madrid predicted lineup:

Kepa; Garcia, Alaba, Rudiger, Vasquez; Camavinga, Tchouameni, Valverde; Bellingham; Joselu, Rodrygo

Match Prediction for Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid:

Real Madrid will be looking to make it seven straight wins in all competitions this season when they travel to Atletico Madrid for the Madrid derby on Sunday. Real Madrid is already eight points ahead of the seventh-place Atletico, Atletico still has one game in hand, they will look to win this Madrid derby and hand over first loss of the season to Real Madrid. However, considering the form Real Madrid is in right now, Atletico even at their home stadium will face challenges to beat the in form Real side.

Prediction: Atletico Madrid 1-2 Real Madrid

Telecast

India – Sports 18, JioCinema

UK – Viaplay, ITV

US –  ESPN+

Nigeria – DSTV, Gotv