Atl. Madrid vs Real Madrid prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-09-23 19:00.
Atlético Madrid’s recent games (W1, D1, L1) were packed with drama even before they conceded a 95th-minute equaliser to Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel (D 1-1) in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday! Prior to that, they ran riot against Rayo Vallecano (W 7-0) only to then put up what Diego Simeone described as the “weakest” performance of his long tenure in a 3-0 loss to Valencia. All three results highlighted the need for more consistency if they’re to have any chance of challenging for La Liga (LL) honours.
An early test of those title credentials arrives with city rivals Real Madrid in opposition for the 233rd Madrid derby (Atlético: W57, D60, L115) with the hosts seeking what would be just their second home league H2H win in nine attempts (D4, L3). Injuries have hit Los Rojiblancos hard this term, but they received a timely boost with the news that Memphis Depay, Koke and Axel Witsel should all be available for selection this weekend.
Injuries also struck the visitors in the early part of the season, and Real were once again indebted to Jude Bellingham as they needed his stoppage-time winner to beat Union Berlin 1-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday. They left it late to maintain their perfect start to 2023/24 in all competitions (W6), but that’s becoming a trend as that was their third game in four won by a goal from the Englishman after the 80th minute!
Manager Carlo Ancelotti declared afterwards that “the spirit of this jersey” allows his team to “believe until the end,”, but even he admitted that the strike had an element of luck about it after the ball bounced into Bellingham’s path for a tap-in. Los Blancos have also won their last four LL away games and as they seek to maintain their flying start to the season, they’ll aim to repeat last term’s 2-1 win here, when both goals came in the first half.
Players to watch: Marcos Llorente completed the scoring in two of Atlético’s last four LL fixtures and may have extra motivation after he started his professional career with Real! Bellingham has never faced Atlético before, but he has currently scored more goals (six) this term than the rest of teammates combined (five)!
Hot stat: Atlético Madrid have scored an average of over two goals per game across their last 11 clashes with Madrid-based sides.