The Madrid derby between Real and Atletico in La Liga will see the favorite of the two bookmakers for the first time this season. It is a fight with the title effect between the current leaders (Real Madrid) hosting the defending champions (Atlético Madrid).
Atletico need a positive result to keep Colconeros close and potentially keep the race for first place wide open. Another Real Madrid win, barring a miraculous second-half run, would almost eliminate Atletico from contention.
Real Madrid (1st, 39 points) have won their last nine matches in all competitions and enjoyed solid first half of the season in the return of Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian manager has guided Los Merengues to 12 wins in their first 16 La Liga matches, with just one loss to Espanyol in that period. A major factor in that race has been the play of Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior (10 goals), who experienced a breakout in his fourth season at the club and helped decide many of those matches.
Atletico (fourth, 29 points) has had an uneven start to the season, especially compared to its championship season in 2020-21 when they won 12 after 15 matches. This season the record reads 8W-2L-5D as the team struggles for consistency. Qualifying for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 with a thrilling win earlier this week could help the team get back on track in La Liga, where it still faces rivals.