Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid
The first Madrid derby of the new La Liga season and the contrast could not be clearer.
Sitting atop the standings are Real Madrid, the only side in the top flight with a 100 per cent record after six wins from six games.
As I said in the summer: beware a wounded Real.
In stark contrast, city rivals Atletico have by no means played poorly but their new-look team has yet to gel and they are well off the pace, sitting in ninth place in the table with just two wins (and three draws) from their six encounters.
This SBOTOP observer is expecting La Liga 2025 highlights and the onus is very much on Diego Simeone’s hosts.
Talking Points
The midweek games strengthened Real’s hand as they maintained their lead at the summit.
A 4-1 victory at Levante was pretty comprehensive, even if the game was a lot closer than it sounds for a while.
In the end, it took two goals in three second-half minutes from the in-form Kylian Mbappe to pull Xabi Alonso’s men ahead, taking the French captain’s league tally so far to seven.
Earlier, Vinicius Jr had opened the scoring with a superb strike before the Brazilian forward turned provider as he picked out Franco Mastantuono with a crossfield pass that the Argentine international clinically fired home.
It was the 18-year-old’s first Real goal since his summer arrival and, in the process, he surpassed Vinicius to become the club’s fourth youngest La Liga scorer.
Levante reduced the deficit through a Etta Eyong header but then Mbappe took charge.
As for Alonso, it means the first Spanish derby of 2025/26 offers him the chance to draw level with former boss Vanderlei Luxemburgo, who won his first seven games in charge of Real 20 years ago.
Atletico were also in action in midweek as they hosted Rayo Vallecano.
Julian Alvarez put Los Rojiblancos in front before Pep Chavarria equalised in first-half stoppage time.
The pressure was really on when Vallecano took a 77th-minute lead through Alvaro Garcia.
But Alvarez isn’t Atletico’s star turn without good reason and he produced a close-range finish to level before firing home a fine winner from outside the box to win the day and ensure they head into derby day in good spirits and with renewed confidence.
Atletico needed that. Now, can they stop their city rival in their tracks?
History
Historically, Real have the distinct edge as you would expect.
This includes the 2014 and 2016 Champions League Finals and a bizarre last-16 tie last season.
After Real triumphed 2-1 in the Bernabeu with goals from Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz (Alvarez replied for Atletico) came a first-minute Conor Gallagher goal in the second leg.
Normal and extra-time later, the sides remained deadlocked at 2-2 on aggregate and the resulting penalty shoot-out saw Real emerge 4-2 victors.
There was controversy as Alvarez scored for Atletico in the shoot-out but his effort was ruled out for seeming to touch the ball twice as he slipped – prompting a law change in the summer.
In this league fixture last season, it took a last-gasp Angel Correa equaliser to rescue a point for hosts Atletico in September after Eder Militao had put Real in front.
It was also 1-1 at the Bernabeu when Mbappe cancelled out an Alvarez penalty.
Atletico have only won of their last six league meetings and that came two years ago this weekend when they recorded a 3-1 home success.
On that occasion, a poor refereeing performance detracted somewhat from the contest but should not take away from Atletico’s showing, led by a Alvaro Morata double and an Antoine Griezmann header to seal a 3-1 victory.
Real then got the better of their city rivals in Saudi Arabia in a thrilling Supercopa de España semi-final.
There were eight goals and many talking points as Real emerged 5-3 winners after extra-time.
Betting Tip
Our La Liga 2025 betting odds give Real the edge but it’s mighty close.
1X2 odds favour them @ 2.31 and the home side @ 2.72.
Asian Handicap options plump for Real 0.00 @ 1.80 and Atletico 0.00 @ 2.11.
A re-run of their league meeting last term is on offer @ 6.40 with Correct Score 1-1, whereas as repeat of their most recent meeting (without the need for extra-time) would actually earn you a pay day of @ 10.50 with Correct Score 1-0.
I actually think there will only be a handful of goals but my *** tip is 1X2 draw @ 3.37.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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