“Forget Barcelona… the team that can frustrate us is Atlético” – said Alfredo Di Stefano. Lossless Real Madrid will try to win another derby
Real Madrid’s 83rd derby
This will be the 83rd league derby hosted by Real Madrid, with a record from the previous 82. However, they are winless in six La Liga H2Hs on home turf, drawing the last three after a goalless first half. This season’s reverse fixture ended goalless, as have 60% of the previous five league clashes. Five of the last six top-flight H2Hs at any location have additionally seen no first-half goals. In line with the potential low-scoring first half, Real Madrid’s last six league games have also averaged just 0.17 goals before the break.
5th place Atletico against leader Real Madrid
Atlético Madrid drew their only prior away league fixture entered as an outsider this season. Overall, draws account for 42.86 percent of their league results this term, with all producing under 2.5 goals. The first half of the play has produced an average of just 0.22 total goals across those draws. Atlético’s ten-game away form in the league is also draw-dominated. Of the games won/lost, all five saw the winner on the day score exactly once beyond the hour mark.
Will not play
From Real Madrid: Asensio – Knee injury, Bale – Ankle injury, Hazard – Ankle injury; Questionable: Diaz – Injury.
From Atletico Madrid: Costa – Hernia, Poveda – Knee injury; Questionable: Arias – Groin injury, Gimenez – Leg injury, Joao Felix – Leg injury, Lemar – Stomach disorder
Players to watch
Brazilian midfielder Casemiro hit a second-half double in Real’s last home league win. He also scored the opener in Real’s final La Liga derby victory.
Atlético’s Álvaro Morata got the decisive winner in his team’s last La Liga away win with an 84th-minute goal. He most recently scored vs. Real at the Bernabeu back in May 2015, doing so in a 1-1 draw.
Stat attack: None of Real’s last eight La Liga fixtures have seen a goal either way before the 30th-minute mark.
Atlético has scored precisely one goal beyond the hour mark in each of their last five La Liga away wins.
Only one of the last 17 La Liga H2Hs has separated the teams by over 1.5 goals at half-time.