Atleti to capitalise on Real's CL hangover?
Real Madrid will be hoping to carry the momentum from their 5-2 win at Liverpool in the Champions League into the Madrid derby on Saturday.
Atletico Madrid are not involved in the race for the La Liga title this season and appear to be moving towards the end of Diego Simeone’s reign at the club.
The Galacticos will be comfortable focusing on the Champions League with Barcelona running away with the league title while they play in the Europa League.
Carlo Ancelotti will have to manage the minutes of some of his key players at some point due to their age, but with a nice gap in between the first and second leg of their last 16 tie, Real should be able to go full strength or at least close to it against the Mattress Makers.
Background
Real have been scintillating going forward this season, Luka Modric continues to be one of the best players in the world at linking defence to attack and Karim Benzema remains a crucial cog and focal point.
All while Vinicius Junior continues to step up to take on the mantle as their flair player in wide areas.
David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Mariano Diaz and Aurelien Tchouameni are likely to miss out, however, Eduardo Camavinga’s classy display at Anfield will have addressed a few concerns over the injury issues.
Dani Ceballos and Marco Asensio will likely come into the starting line-up in rotation, but otherwise expect a largely similar side to the one that defeated Jurgen Klopp’s men.
Atletico have been nowhere near as dangerous in the final third as Real this season, and Simeone may take a defensive approach to the match even though it is an opportunity to take advantage of their less busy schedule than the hosts.
Goals?
Unders for me, it would not be a surprise to see Real drop-off after the events of Tuesday evening.
Real have scored in eight of ten.
Real have conceded in five of ten.
Real have seen both teams score in four of ten.
Real have seen over 2.5 goals in four of ten.
Atleti have scored in nine of ten.
Atleti have conceded in four of ten.
Atleti have seen both teams score in three of ten.
Atleti have seen over 2.5 goals in one of ten.
