Atletico Madrid faces city rival Real in battle to catch leader Barcelona

There is no doubt about what is the biggest match in Spain’s La Liga this weekend, with city rivals Atletico and Real Madrid set to lock horns at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday afternoon. Real could leapfrog Atletico with a win on the road, while the home side will be looking to cut the gap on table topper Barcelona – temporarily at least, with the Catalan giants not playing until the following day.

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Game Center

Atletico can lay down marker of intent

Last weekend was a shock occurrence for Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid, with the side losing just its second league game this season. Atletico went down 1-0 away to Real Betis, thereby allowing Barcelona to open up a six-point gap at the top of the table – however, they can give the perfect response on Saturday afternoon by getting one over their fiercest rivals.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, has been enjoying a revival of its own since the dismissal of former Spain boss Julen Lopetegui. Los Blancos have won their last four league games in a row and sit third in the table, just two points behind Atletico – meaning that a win Saturday would move the European champions up to second.

However, it is Atletico that comes into this match as the favorite to claim local bragging rights. You can back the home side to pick up the win at +125, while Real is out at +220 to do the same. A draw would appear to be the least likely outcome and is priced accordingly at +225.

Atletico should make home advantage count

One place Atletico has looked particularly strong is in front of their own fans, and they have yet to lose a league game at the Wanda Metropolitano this term. While this is likely to be a very close call – local derbies usually are – we are expecting Atletico to just about edge the contest, and though it can be tough trying to predict exact outcomes of football matches, a narrow 2-1 win for Atletico looks worth backing at +800.

That result would then in turn also allow you to back OVER 2.5 goals in the game, which is priced at +100, as well as both teams to score, which is priced short at just -125. Therefore, if you are looking to increase any potential winnings from this crunch clash, then it may be an idea to consider combo betting, which allows you to select multiple outcomes at higher odds.

For example, a combo bet of an Atletico win, coupled with both teams to score, is at the much higher price of +375, while a home victory and OVER 2.5 goals in the game is at +275. OVER 2.5 goals and both teams to score comes in at +137.

Atletico could close out its rival

It should also be pointed out that Atletico boasts the best defensive record in La Liga this season, having conceded just 14 goals in 22 games. All of that means a clean sheet on Saturday is not out of the question and Atletico could win this game to nil (without Real Madrid scoring a goal), an outcome you can back at +275.

The home side is at just -125 to win either half, while that price rises steeply to +275 for Atletico to score in both halves – it is no secret that finding the back of the net has been their Achilles heel this term and Celta Vigo, down in 17th, has scored more goals. Furthermore, Atletico is out at +700 to win both halves.

In terms of goalscorers, Antoine Griezmann will be the home side’s main hope of breaking the deadlock. The World Cup Sportsbook is at just +130 to score at any time during the game, and +400 to net either the first or last goal of the game.