La Liga preview and odds: Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid

Published on: 17/11/2016

La Liga preview and odds: Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid

November 19, 2016 20:45pm - Estadio Vicente Calderón

La Liga

The two biggest teams from Spain`s capital will go head-to-head on Saturday night with hosts Atletico Madrid looking to close the gap on their table-topping rivals.

Atleti playing catch up

The 2013-14 La Liga champions are already six points behind their city rivals in the title race but can put themselves back in contention with a win on Saturday night. Diego Simeone`s men were unbeaten in their first eight games but then lost two of their next three to leave themselves in their current fourth-ranked position.

With several teams battling for the European places, Atleti could slip as low as sixth with defeat on Saturday. However, a win would leave them just three points behind their rivals with 12 games played.

Last time out, Los Colchoneros were humbled 2-0 away to sixth-ranked Real Sociedad and have now lost their last two away games in a row. However, on home soil, only Barcelona and Villarreal have beaten them since May 2013.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid will look to maintain their place at the top of the table as they go in search of their first league title in five years. Amazingly, the Spanish giants have claimed just one title in the last eight seasons and are keen to reclaim supremacy from arch rivals Barcelona.

Los Blancos have not lost a league game since February when they were beaten 0-1 by Atletico on home soil. That was their one and only league defeat of 2016. Away from home, they have won 11 and drawn on of their last 12, with their only dropped points coming in a 2-2 stalemate at Las Palmas.

Team news

The home side have a few injury concerns with Nicolas Gaitan, Augusto Fernandez, Alessio Cerci and Moya all out of action, while Antoine Griezmann has a bruised foot and remains a doubt.

Meanwhile, the visitors will have to make do without Toni Kroos (metatarsal) and Alvaro Morata (hamstring), while Karim Benzema (knock), Pepe (hamstring) and Casemiro (fracture) are all still doubtful.

Recent form (League)

Atletico Madrid: LWLWW

Real Madrid: WWWWD

Betting odds and tips

The home side have scored in all of their home games this season and have won their last four in a row at the Vincente Calderon. They have won just nine of their previous 55 encounters with Real Madrid in all competitions, although seven of those wins have occurred in the last three and a half years.

Real Madrid have won 80% of their away matches and are unbeaten in the league this season. In addition, they have scored in all of their away matches this term.

You can back Both Teams to Score at 7/10 with Bet365

By Neil Morris

Published on: 17/11/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (17/11/2016 15:38:16) but are subject to change.