On Sunday night, Real Madrid host Atletico Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, in a Madrid derby that could be decisive in the race for the Spanish top-flight this season.

REAL MADRID

Carlo Ancelotti’s team has been in relentless form in La Liga of late, as Los Blancos are now unbeaten in eight league matches, having recorded seven victories in the process. The Spanish league leaders have also been prolific in recent league games, scoring at least two goals in six of their previous eight matches in La Liga.

Their recent stellar form has seen the men from Madrid move eight points clear of second-place Sevilla, although Julen Lopetegui’s team does have a game in hand on the home team.

Atletico Madrid

The reigning Spanish champions are struggling badly to replicate the form that saw them clinch the title last season. Diego Simeone’s team are currently fourth in the table, ten points behind their arch-rivals Real Madrid.

Los Colchoneros have been in mixed form of late in the Spanish top-flight. However, a shock 2-1 home defeat by Mallorca last time out means that Atletico have won just three of their previous seven league games. They must find some consistency if they are to have any chance of challenging their rivals for the title.

Atletico Madrid’s away record in La Liga has been underwhelming of late, as Simeone’s team has won just one of their last four league games on their travels. A 4-1 win at Cadiz in their last away game ended a three-game winless run on their travels in the Spanish top-flight.

Team News

Real Madrid could be without Gareth Bale, Dani Ceballos through injury. However, the biggest absentee could be French forward Karim Benzema, who sustained a hamstring injury against Real Sociedad.

Atletico Madrid could be without Kieran Trippier, Jose Gimenez, Stefan Savic and Felipe through injury, while Yannick Carrasco is a doubt.