Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid Betting Preview

Kick-off: Saturday, April 8 @3:15 PM GMT

Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu (Madrid)

Head to head record

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid 0-3 (2016/2017 La Liga)
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid 1-1 (2015/2016 Champions League)
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid 0-1 (2015/2016 La Liga)
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid 1-1 (2015/2016 La Liga)
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid 1-0 (2014/2015 Champions League)

Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid prediction

Real Madrid will be looking to retain top position in the La Liga standings with a victory over fellow capital club Atletico Madrid. There will be fireworks in “El Derbi Madrileno” and it remains to be seen who will have a reason for celebration on Saturday.

Real Madrid stars well rested

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane gambled against Leganes in midweek, he mixed the squad against the relegation-threatened side, but Los Blancos managed to pick up all three points from the game. The Spanish giants are leading the chase for the La Liga trophy, but they are only two points clear of Barcelona ahead of Saturday’s Madrid derby. Zinedine Zidane is likely to field the best possible side against Atletico Madrid and it is no surprise the league leaders are seen as favorites to win the local derby. Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to be recalled to the starting line-up and all eyes will be on the Portuguese superstar when the two teams face each other at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday afternoon. It has to be noted that Los Blancos are after their sixth consecutive win in La Liga.

Raphael Varane remains in the recovery room, but the likes of Luka Modric, Tony Kroos, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale should be recalled to the starting XI. Alvaro Morata could keep his place in the starting line-up after scoring a hat-trick against Leganes.

Splendid form, but…

Over the years Atletico Madrid have established themselves as one of the dominant forces in European football. Los Rojiblancos did well to win the La Liga trophy two seasons ago while participating in the Champions League final last term. Diego Simeone is doing a great job with the Estadio Vicente Calderon outfit, but his men were playing below expectations in the first half of the season. Los Rojiblancos, though, have found their best form of late and thanks to a hard-fought victory over Real Sociedad in midweek they extended their winning run to five games in La Liga. Atletico Madrid are high on confidence ahead of the local derby, but they will have a big fish to fry in Saturday’s showdown against the league leaders. Antoine Griezmann has netted 14 goals in the Spanish top flight so far this season and he will be the man to watch in the away team.

Kevin Gameiro is a major doubt and he will be assessed on the match day. The likes of Nico Gaitan, Tiago Mendes, Miguel Angel Moya, Augusto Fernandez and Sime Vrsaljko remain in the recovery room.

Interesting facts

• Real Madrid scored 2+ goals in each of their last 11 home games in La Liga
• Atletico managed to keep five clean sheets in last six games in all competitions
• Under 2.5 goals were scored in five of last six meetings between the two teams
• Cristiano Ronaldo has netted 19 goals in La Liga so far this term
• Real Madrid suffered their last defeat at home (La Liga) on February 27, 2016

Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid betting pick

Atletico Madrid have been in a thrilling form of late, but considering that Real Madrid are desperate to regain the La Liga title, I am tempted to put my money on Zinedine Zidane’s stars, who were rested against Leganes in midweek. Los Blancos are a real force to be reckoned with at home and they are likely to emerge triumphant in Saturday’s Madrid derby.

Pick: Real Madrid to win

Odds: 4/5