Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo (L) and Atletico de Madrid’s Diego Costa
Real Madrid travel to the Estadio Vicente Calderon as they look to add misery to Atletico Madrid and close in on the La Liga title with a second consecutive away win while Diego Simeone’s men will be aiming to bounce back strongly after their shocking 3-0 defeat away to Osasuna last Sunday.
Atletico Madrid had the chance of joining leaders Real on 63 points but they were shocked 3-0 by Osasuna and remain in third place. Diego Simeone’s men are currently tied on points with Barcelona separated by goal difference and remain three points behind arch-rivals Real Madrid who went top of the La Liga table last weekend after their superb 3-0 win over Elche.
Atletico have been brilliant at home having gone unbeaten in 13 games with 11 wins, scoring 41 goals and conceding only seven. Los Colchoneros will not want to tarnish their home record and will make life difficult against an in-form Real Madrid side when they meet on Sunday. The main reason why Atletico is surging right now is largely due to the dynamic striking abilities of Diego Costa. The Brazilian born Spain international is arguably Atletico Madrid’s biggest threat.
He has netted 21 goals this campaign with only Cristiano Ronaldo higher on the score charts with 22. Another player who has been influential is Koke, the young Spanish midfielder has played 23 games for his club this season, scoring four goals and has nine assists to his credit. He has the ability to bring the ball up with speed, and somehow makes his way up the field as the only man left ahead of the keeper. It will be interesting to see how Diego Simeone chooses to approach the match. After a loss over the weekend against 13th-placed Osasuna, there’s a decision to be made about priorities.
Real Madrid will be aiming to extend their unbeaten run in La Liga to 16 matches when they lock horns with Atletico Madrid on Sunday. Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who are unbeaten in their last 27 matches in all competitions, sit top of the standings and will be looking to move six points clear of Atletico with victory here.
Madrid have been good away from home, winning nine times and losing just once in 13 matches. That loss came at the hands of Atletico Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium last September thanks to the individual brilliance of Diego Costa who netted the only goal of the game. Luka Modric’s professional and accurate passing has been on full display throughout the league, and you can bet the 28-year-old midfielder will be a handful for Atletico in the derby. He won’t usually show up in the goals or assists column, but he generally lends a big hand in setting up scoring opportunities for Los Blancos. Los Blancos will be boosted to have Ronaldo back after serving his three-match ban and he is expected to walk straight into the side and replace the impressive Jese Rodriguez on the left of midfield.
Angel Di Maria has enjoyed a hot-and-cold season. However, there’s no escaping the fact that when he’s hot, he’s boiling. Atletico will remember only too well one of his better performances, when he was the key ingredient as Real outplayed Atletico in the Copa del Rey this month winning both home and away ties.
Real Madrid were impressive in their 3-0 win on the weekend. The likes of Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Karim Benzema were outstanding and bossed the game. Atletico’s spirit will be dampened by their disappointing loss and Los Blanco are tipped to get their revenge with an away win.
