Real Madrid steps into the center of attention as the derby between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid takes place on Bernabeu's grounds on Saturday evening to determine the La Liga summit.
At Present Real Madrid leads the La Liga standings as top team while Atletico Madrid trails behind by only a single point thus remaining close contenders for the title in their remaining 18 league matches.
Real Madrid's performance this season has been uneven so far yet they occupy the La Liga summit while advancing to the Copa del Rey semifinals and securing their place in the upcoming Champions League elimination round against Manchester City.
The team reached the final four of the cup competition after a 3-2 victory against Leganes confirmed their place and received their last-minute win from Gonzalo Garcia's debut goal for the club. Ancelotti's side now prepare for their Champions League playoff matchup against Man City at Etihad Stadium.
The capital giants should stay focused on La Liga because their recent home defeat against Espanyol dropped them to only one point ahead of second-placed Atletico at the summit.
Real Madrid leads La Liga by four points while Barcelona ranks third in a thrilling competition. This season Real Madrid has already lost at home by conceding four goals to Barcelona.
Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid finished matches during their latest league confrontations with a draw score of 1-1 at both Wanda Metropolitano in September and at Bernabeu in the previous season's league encounter.
Few people thought Atletico was a serious contender for the La Liga title this season, but the Red and Whites have had a fantastic season so far, making it to the Champions League knockout phase and the Copa del Rey semi-finals.
Simeone's team defeated Getafe 5-0 on Tuesday to secure a berth in the cup's last four. They also defeated Mallorca 2-0 the previous weekend to increase their La Liga point total to 48, with 14 wins, 6 ties, and 2 losses from 22 games.
Real Madrid, who have won nine of their ten league games at the Bernabeu during the 2024–25 season, will be facing Atletico, who have amassed 18 points on the road this season.
These are the games that the Red and Whites need to win in order to be considered as possible La Liga champions. They have won the title eleven times, with their most recent victory occurring in 2020–21.
Simeone's team hasn't won a La Liga game at the Bernabeu since February 2016, although Atletico has actually won all four of their previous league games against Real Madrid and only lost one of their last six.
In a much-needed fitness boost for the team, Real Madrid will have Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Lucas Vazquez, and Eduardo Camavinga available for the Madrid derby.
All four players are available, however Camavinga was not yet ready to return from a hamstring injury, and Mbappe, Bellingham, and Vazquez missed the match against Leganes due to minor difficulties.With Barrios back exercising with the team following a recent incident, Atletico is in great form overall, even though Normand is suspended and will miss the game.
Griezmann and Alvarez, who have 15 and 16 goals in 2024–25, respectively, are the front two for selection this weekend, and Sorloth, who has scored 11 goals for Atletico this season, is likely to start on the bench.
