February gets off to a bang in La Liga with the Madrid derby set to take centre stage as Atletico Madrid head to the Bernabeu on Saturday afternoon and the stakes are high.
Real sit top of the table but know with a three-point gap to Barcelona, any slip up and the Catalans will pounce whilst for Atletico, defeat is not an option otherwise there the threat of losing more ground in the top four race will prove damaging.
So, if you are thinking of making a bet on this classic encounter, we have some useful information that might help sway your decision.
Head to head
Diego Simone’s men will head to their capital rivals confident of getting something out of this game.
Incredibly, Atletico have won three and drawn three on their last six trips to the Bernabeu. That means you have to go all the way back to the 2012/13 season the last time Real beat their rivals in front of their home fans.
Real did win at the Wanda last season although a 0-0 draw was recorded when the pair met earlier in the season.
Current form
Real come into the game on a strong run of form that has lifted them to the summit of the league. Three straight wins has followed for Zinedine Zidane’s men with Real unbeaten in La Liga since October.
The same cannot be said of Atletico who find themselves fifth in the table.
No win in their last two for Diego Simone’s men including a loss to Eibar has allowed Getafe to leapfrog them into the top four and leave Atletico under pressure.
Prediction
Based on the head to heads, this game is surely heading for a draw with the last three meetings between these two at the Bernabeu ending in a share of the spoils.
However, on current form, and the home win looks the best way to go. One thing is clear though, whatever you do, don’t back Atletico for the win.
