After a plethora of football games, goals, and sports betting, the race for La Liga continues this week.
And there’s only one place to start, irrespective of whether football betting is your favourite pursuit. That’s in the capital for the Madrid derby.
Never mind the fact Atletico are not in the title race. They are a side in form and would take great pleasure from throwing a spanner in their city rivals’ title bid.
After all, this is a repeat of last season’s Champions League final in which Atletico hearts were broken in a penalty shoot-out.
Following their narrow victory over Real Sociedad, manager Diego Simeone gave many of his players an extra day’s rest from training ahead of this clash.
Five wins in a row, with just one goal conceded, means they head to the northern part of Madrid in buoyant form.
Champions League success may remain their priority but even full-back Juanfran has admitted they are preparing for this encounter as if it’s a final.
The Rojiblancos, who may still be without Kevin Gamiero (tendinitis), are seeking a fourth straight win at the Bernabeu and know all the pressure is on the hosts.
Real, themselves, come into the match on the back of a superb run.
Indeed, their 3-0 victory at the Vicente Calderon in November – when Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick – was arguably their finest performance of the season to date.
And in seeing off Leganes 4-2 in midweek, Zinedine Zidane was able to rest the likes of Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Toni Kroos.
Los Blancos have won their last six in all competitions and the reaction of James Rodriguez, who showed his frustration when substituted in midweek, shows the difficulty Zidane has in keeping all his players happy.
Yet that reaction may be exactly what he wants from his squad.
One thing’s guaranteed – whoever starts in this one will be only focused on victory and securing bragging rights in the city.
Elsewhere, second-placed Barcelona head to Malaga with their title dreams still alive, although the Catalans will be without both Gerard Pique and Ivan Rakitic for the trip.
After a miserable month, fourth-placed Sevilla host Deportivo with club president Jose Castro backing manager Jorge Sampaoli, despite the recent downturn.
Fifth meets sixth when Villarreal host Athletic Bilbao, both boosting their Europa League hopes with midweek victories, courtesy of Adrian and Aritz Aduriz – barring a late collapse, they both should have those top six berths secured.
Espanyol host Alaves knowing their home form has been encouraging, while Alaves have been rocky at home, yet often a revelation on their travels.
Granada host an improving Valencia knowing time is running out if they are to beat the drop, while Eibar travel to Celta Vigo in your stereotypical late season mid-table match, aware victory will see them leapfrog opponents who may have an eye on their pending Europa League quarter-final.
If Osasuna are to pull off the greatest escape of all, they will need to follow up their midweek win at Alaves – their first since October 10 – with another Pamplona special against minnows Leganes who put up a spirited showing before going down 4-2 to Real in the week.
Las Palmas host Real Betis with Los Amarillos slipping into mid-table and pressure on the shoulders of home favourite Jese Rodriguez following his expectant return.
Betis need to make sure they don’t get dragged into a relegation scramble.
The final match of the weekend sees European chasing Real Sociedad welcome Sporting Gijon.
They were wounded by their defeat at home to Malaga but are just one win from making the relegation fight a real contest again.
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