Real Madrid will be looking to move six points clear at the top of La Liga when they welcome Atletico Madrid to the Bernabeu on Saturday afternoon, agencies report. Los Blancos are currently three points ahead of second-placed Barcelona at the top of the table, while Atletico occupy fifth with 36 points to show from their 21 matches during the 2019-20 campaign.
Real Madrid have not been without their problems this season, but Zidane's side will enter this match off the back of seven straight wins in all competitions. They beat Atletico on penalties in the final of the Spanish Super Cup earlier this month and have since posted four victories in two separate competitions.
The fact that Real Madrid have lost just once in 21 league matches this season is very impressive, with that defeat coming away to Mallorca on October 19. They have actually not lost in any competition since then, progressing to the last-16 stage of the Champions League as well as impressing domestically.
Atletico would have been looking to return to winning ways against Leganes last weekend, but the points were shared in a goalless draw at the Wanda Metropolitano. The result left the capital side down in fifth position in the table with a record of nine wins, nine draws and three defeats from 21 matches. The Red and Whites are only two points off third-placed Sevilla on the same number of matches but sit 10 points behind Real Madrid heading into the Madrid derby. In all honesty, it is difficult to imagine Atletico making a play for the title in the remaining months of the campaign.
In recent years, Atletico have almost always boasted the best defensive record throughout the season but that is not the case this term. Indeed, Real Madrid have only conceded 13 goals in their 21 matches, while Atletico have shipped 14.
Down the other end, Real Madrid are the second-leading scorers in the division with 39 goals, but Atletico have managed just 22. Only Leganes, Valladolid, Celta Vigo, Espanyol and Eibar have scored fewer La Liga goals than Simeone's side this season, which is an indiction of their issues.
Alvaro Morata has seven league strikes to his name during the 2019-20 campaign, but Joao Felix and Angel Correa have just five between them. Diego Costa's injury blow has certainly harmed the team, but there has not been enough happening in the final third of the field this term.
Atletico's recent record at the Bernabeu is strong, though, picking up three wins and three draws from their last six league visits, with Real Madrid's last victory in this particular fixture coming back in December 2012. Both Marco Asensio and Eden Hazard are making progress in their recoveries from knee and ankle injuries respectively, although neither player will be considered for this weekend's contest.
Dani Carvajal is back having served a one-game suspension last weekend, though, while Gareth Bale could be involved despite a recent ankle problem. The fact that Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo Goes and Luka Modric were not involved against Zaragoza in the Copa del Rey suggests that all three will return to the starting XI on Saturday afternoon.
Federico Valverde could be the player to drop out despite his impressive form this season, but Lucas Vazquez is in line to keep his spot in the final third having impressed on Wednesday night. As for Atletico, Diego Costa remains unavailable following a neck operation, while neither Thomas Lemar nor Koke are expected to recover in time for the contest.
Joao Felix has also been ruled out with a muscular injury, meaning that Correa and Morata could line up as the front two in a 4-4-2 formation, with Vitolo potentially coming into the side. Kieran Trippier and Jose Gimenez are also doubts and should neither recover then Sime Vrsaljko and Felipe will start alongside Stefan Savic and Renan Lodi in defence.
Hector Herrera, Saul Niguez and Thomas Partey should all feature for the visitors in midfield.
