Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid 09/02/19

09 February 2019

The main event of this weekend’s La Liga action takes place at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano as Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid battle it out for the second place.

The hosts come into this meeting in a bad mood as last week’s 1-0 away loss to Real Betis brought their 19-game unbeaten run across all competitions to an end (W12, D7). Still, Los Colchoners remain the only Spanish team that is yet to suffer a defeat at home this campaign (W9, D2) having won four successive LL home clashes without conceding a goal. Although he can’t be proud of the fact his team bagged just 32 goals in 22 LL games on an average of 1.45 goals scored per match, Diego Simeone can proudly boast the best defensive record in the Spanish top tier (14) that has seen his players allowing an average of 0.64 goals per game. Additionally, just four of 14 goals Atletico conceded this term came in Madrid, with Jan Oblak managing eight clean sheets in 11 LL home outings so far.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s hectic schedule this February sees them taking on Atletico just a few days after facing-off arch-rivals Barcelona in Copa del Rey. Although midweek’s 1-1 draw at Camp Nou broke Los Blancos’ five-game winning run across all competitions, the reigning European champions seem to be moving up a gear following a difficult start of the year. Not only Santiago Solari’s men won four consecutive LL games, but they’ve scored over 1.5 goals in each, keeping a clean sheet twice in the process. However, still uncomfortable playing away from home, Los Merengues have suffered four defeats on 11 LL road trips, conceding over 2.5 goals in three. Solari should keep in mind his team failed to keep a clean sheet in ten LL away games this term, conceding 21 goals along the way, which is the third joint worst record in the Spanish top tier.

Provisional line-up – Atletico Madrid:

Gk: Oblak Defense: Arias – Lucas Hernandez – Jose Gimenez – Juanfran Midfield: Partey – Rodri – Lemar – Angel Correa Attack: Griezmann – Morata

Provisional line-up – Real Madrid:

Gk: Courtois Defense: Marcelo – Sergio Ramos – Nacho – Odriozola Midfield: Modric – Casemiro – Ceballos Attack: Vinicius Junior – Bale – Benzema