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In one of the biggest games anywhere in European football, Atletico Madrid take on Real Madrid at the Metropolitano in a clash that could well prove to be entertaining but also one between two sides yet to completely convince so far this season.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 29th September, 2024 - UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
ATLETICO MADRID PREVIEW: ENIGMA OF ATLETI
Coached by Diego Simeone, ‘Cholismo’ is not necessarily dead but they have been trying to evolve themselves into something more proactive in the last couple of years and that has made them quite enigmatic. The unpredictability of what style Atletico will attempt to play, let alone their results, has made them eminently intriguing.
Los Rojiblancos come into this one on the back of a seven-match unbeaten run of form to start the season with four victories and three draws so far. Their most recent outing saw them defeat Celta by a goal to nil in midweek thanks to a winning goal scored by Argentina international Julian Alvarez.
REAL MADRID PREVIEW: NAME IS NOT ENOUGH
Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid, bidding to win six trophies this season, have already won one with victory over Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup but Los Blancos have been unconvincing throughout the opening month of the campaign – despite the fact they remain unbeaten after nine matches across all competitions.
They have scored three first-half goals and 18 in the second-half of matches in those nine games and two of those goals came in their midweek victory over Deportivo Alaves at the Bernabeu. The 15-time European champions went 3-0 up inside 48 minutes before the Basque side scored a couple of quickfire goals late on.
ATLETICO MADRID TEAM NEWS: NO AZPI FOR ATLETI
Atletico Madrid will now be set to without defender Cesar Azpilicueta with the former Chelsea man unavailable alongside young but impressive midfielder Pablo Barrios.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Oblak; Molina, Le Normand, Gimenez, Reinildo; Llorente, Koke, Gallagher, Simeone; Griezmann, Sorloth
UNAVAILABLE: Azpilicueta (Injured), Barrios (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
REAL MADRID TEAM NEWS: THE MBAPPE CONUNDRUM
Real Madrid’s latest galatico, Kylian Mbappe, has not necessarily played well at all bar his goals and he is expected to miss this derby day clash against Atletico Madrid.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Courtois; Vazquez, Rudiger, Militao, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, Guler
UNAVAILABLE: Camavinga (Injured), Ceballos (Injurred), Brahim Diaz (Injured), Mbappe (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
ATLETICO MADRID VS REAL MADRID PREDICTION
Atletico Madrid are generally unpredictable but have remained unbeaten after eight matches across all competitions. A title charge may well once again be difficult to fulfil but they will take massive confidence in winning this fixture by three goals to one almost exactly one year ago. Real Madrid have failed to convince, although the absence of Mbappe could help them rediscover some fluency and cohesion. Even with that possibility, backing Atleti seems a good bet, especially with home advantage.
ATLETICO MADRID VS REAL MADRID TIP: ATLETICO MADRID TO WIN