Real Madrid’s predicted playing XI to face Atletico Madrid

The first big match of 2018-19 LaLiga is here as the 33-time champions Real Madrid will host their local rivals Atletico Madrid in the Madrid Derby at the Bernabeu. This is the second Madrid Derby and the first league game between both the teams this season.

Both the Madrid rivals kickstarted each other's season by facing off in a Derby for the UEFA Super Cup in Estonia. After a 2-2 deadlock in the normal time, Atletico scored two goals in the extra time to win the game 4-2 and win the UEFA Super Cup.

Real Madrid started off the season on a great note winning their first three games and had a golden chance to go to the top of the table after Barcelona's loss to Leganes moments before Julen Lopeteugi's men were handed a 3-0 thrashing by Sevilla at the Pizjuan in the last game week. Real Madrid are second in the points table with 13 points from six games, same as leaders Barcelona but with an inferior goal difference compared to the Catalans.

Atletico, on the other hand, started off the season with a draw against Valencia in their first game before losing to Celta Vigo a couple of games later. But, Diego Simeone's men have come back stronger and have climbed to the third position behind Barcelona and Real Madrid in the points table with 11 points from six games.

The upcoming derby will be a crucial match for both the teams as a win could put them on top of the table going into the international break as Barcelona could drop points when they take on Athletic Bilbao.

Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu

Time: 1945 local; 0015 (September 30) IST

Where to watch: Fans can watch it on the official LaLiga Facebook page. The match will be telecasted Live on Sony Pictures Network (Sony Ten 1 and Sony Ten 1 HD) for the Indian audience.

Referee: Juan Martinez

Head-to-Head: Till date, both the sides have met each other 220 times across all competitions with Real winning 109 games, Atletico 56 and the rivals sharing 55 draws.

In 162 league games, Real Madrid have won 86 matches compared to Atletico's 39 and the remaining 37 games ended in a draw. Last season, both their league matches ended in a draw.

Of late, Atletico have enjoyed success against their rivals in the league while Real have had the upper hand in European competitions. Their last meeting ended in a 4-2 win for Atletico in the 2018 UEFA Super Cup.

Atletico are unbeaten in their last five outings at the Bernabeu and Real will be hoping that their golden run ends when they take their cross-town rivals on Saturday.

Team news:

Real Madrid will have to address a few injury concerns going into the Derby as they could be without three of their first-team players for the clash. Midfielder Isco, who has been ruled out for one month due to appendicitis recovery, is ruled out to face Atletico and the defence could see a new combination as the fullbacks Marcelo and Dani Carvajal are suffering respective injuries.

Marcelo injured a muscle in his right leg during the match against Sevilla and was forced to leave the match mid-way, leaving his team to finish the game with ten men. The club has confirmed that the left-back is out for three-four weeks. Carvajal injured himself during the UEFA Champions League game against AS Roma a couple of weeks back and was not a part of the Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla games.

Good news is that the Spaniard was a part of the training ahead of the Derby and it is still unclear whether he will be a part of the playing XI for the crucial clash. Nacho is likely to replace Marcelo and if Carvajal misses out, he will be replaced by Alvaro Odriozola in the XI.

Atletico, on the other hand, will be welcoming both their full-backs Juanfran and Lucas Hernandez to their playing XI to take on Real. They don't have any injury concerns ahead of the clash.

Real Madrid possible starting lineup: Courtois; Odriozola, Ramos, Varane, Nacho; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Asensio, Benzema, Bale.

Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup: Oblak; Juanfran, Gimenez, Godin, Hernandez; Lemar, Saul, Thomas, Koke; Griezmann, Costa.