La Liga Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid: Who are the Kings of Madrid?

Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid

Diego Simeone takes his Atletico Madrid to the Santiago Bernabeu this weekend for a chance to topple their city rivals and steal their crown.

La Liga Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid is always a huge fixture, and they are getting bigger by the season. The gap between the all-conquering Los Blancos and the ever-chasing Atletico is narrowing. It may even be about to close.

There was plenty of talk at the start of the season that Atletico may be the kings of Madrid this season, and they could reach the summit of the League this weekend after a slow start, or at least leapfrog Los Blancos.

Talking Points

Things have changed a little over the past seven days. And the big Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid news came in last night when Los Blancos were humbled at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium, beaten by Sevilla. The hosts ran out 3-0 winners with a first-half blitz which Real Madrid never recovered from. Luka Modric thought he’d pulled one back early in the second half, but he was ruled offside by VAR.

That 45-minute disaster must have been doubly frustrating for Head Coach Julen Lopetegui as his side had missed out on the chance to go top of La Liga after Barcelona had incredibly lost to bottom club Leganes. Passing up that opportunity means Atletico can pull their opponents further away from the summit, and that would delight their own fans to no end.

Lopetegui may have a headache as defender Marcelo looked injured towards the end of the game, but the coach had already made three substitutions so his man may be doubtful. And Isco will miss the derby after undergoing surgery for appendicitis.

It’s not the time to panic yet, though: Real Madrid have an abundance of talent. Marco Asensio is quickly becoming a key figure at the Bernabeu, and he scored the only goal of the game to collect three points against Espanyol last week. And they showed their Champions League pedigree with a convincing win over Roma.

There has been more recognition for Luka Modric this week as he scooped the Best Men’s Player Award at the FIFA Best Awards in London, seeing off challenges from Mo Salah and his former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo. Modric was outstanding at the World Cup and has carried his form through to the new domestic season. On his day, the Croatian maestro can pull all the strings with his quick feet, a stunning array of passes, and a superb shot.

Real Madrid and Barca are neck-and-neck at the top of the Primera Division on 13 points after six games, with Simeone’s Atletico just two points behind.

Atletico prepare for the Madrid Derby with maximum intensity to beat SBOBET Odds vs Real — Real Madrid dejected after they were outplayed by Sevilla

Los Rojiblancos are gathering pace after starting the season with only one 90-minute win in their first five games, in all competitions. But the Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid odds will have narrowed slightly after the midweek results. While Los Blancos were thumped 3-0 in Seville, Atletico won by the same margin at home to Huesca.

Antoine Griezmann, Thomas Partey and Koke all scored in the first half as Simeone’s side put the top-flight newcomers to the sword; and he had one eye on the big match to come, resting Saul Niguez, Rodri and Juanfran. One-half of Atletico’s outstanding defensive pairing, Jose Maria Gimenez, was withdrawn in the win, but the boss reckons he’ll be available for the Madrid derby.

History

With all this talk of which is the best side in Madrid, Los Blancos fans will always point to their history and claim that they will always be the best. But that’s what history is all about…it’s gone.

Winning 13 Champions Leagues and 33 La Liga titles, while Atletico has reached Europe’s final three times to lose on each occasion, and won a mere 10 league titles, will be cold comfort to Real Madrid if they lose on Saturday night.

Atletico won the last meeting when Diego Costa was on target twice as Los Rojiblancos won the pre-season ICC clash 4-2. And the visitors are unbeaten in four Madrid derbies; both La Liga meetings ended in a draw last season, 1-1 at the Bernabeu when Antoine Griezmann equalised shortly after Ronaldo had given Los Blancos a lead.

It’s a difficult one to work out, so let’s take a look at the SBOBET odds.

Betting Tip

	Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid	Double Chance: Atletico or Draw @ 1.62
	September 30, 02:45 (GMT+8)

Real Madrid are just odds-on at 1.85 to win this clash, while the draw is at 3.50 and Atletico at 3.65.

But Diego Simeone has a good recent record against Los Blancos, and his team’s form is steadily improving, while Julen Lopetegui’s side has just taken a bashing in Seville.

If you fancy a repeat of last season’s result at the Bernabeu, then you can get 6.40 on 1-1…and that’s the most likely scoreline.