The bookies are struggling to split Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid when it comes to this crunch La Liga encounter on Sunday night. Diego Simeone’s side have only played one home clash this season, securing a 3-1 victory over Granada before three successive away clashes. There was a goalless draw at Real Betis, a 7-0 triumph at Rayo Vallecano and then a 3-0 loss at Valencia.
After a midweek engagement in the Champions League against Lazio, now comes a huge domestic engagement against Real Madrid. They can count on fierce home support although the way in which Valencia were able to score three times and register eight shots on target will have been a big concern.
The normally tight defence will have to be stronger against a Real Madrid side who have recorded five consecutive victories. They haven’t always been watertight, although they were able to score away wins at Athletic Bilbao, Almeria and Celta Vigo to kick off their campaign. There have been subsequent 2-1 wins over Getafe and Sociedad.
Real came from behind to beat the latter and they will be up against opponents who have a number of players who can find the net. Alvaro Morata, Memphis Depay and Antoine Griezmann are among the danger men who face opponents who no longer have Karim Benzema firing in the goals as he previously did.