La Liga: Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Betting Preview

Crucial game between two Madrid rivals as both sides look stay in touching distance of Barcelona in the title race as 2^nd placed Atletico Madrid host 3^rd place Real Madrid!

Currently, Atletico are 2^nd with 44 points while Real Madrid are 3^rd with 42 points and these clubs are 6 and 8 points behind 1^st placed Barcelona making this game really a MUST WIN!

Atletico Madrid are coming off a very disappointing week last week away to Betis 1-0 in a game where they had a massive opportunity to cut Barcelona’s gap to 3, but failed as they lost their first game in 18 games, ironically in Alvaro Morata’s debut. Prior to the Betis game, Atletico showed some very good form therefore for now we can say it was nothing but a mini blip for the home side.

Atletico do possess the best home record in La Liga this season with 9W 2D 0L. In general they are yet to lose at home across all competitions. Atletico also possess the best defensive record at home in the league with 4 GA in 11 games and have been averaging nearly 2 goals scored per game (1.7). Fortress.

The man to watch from Atletico is clearly Antoine Griezmann who has 10G 7A for Atletico in the league which is 17 total goal contributions from clubs total 32 league goals. He’s contributed to 53.1% of the teams goals this season in the league. Alvaro Morata is another player to watch despite having his struggles in the past couple of years, the return to Spain should do him good and playing against his former club, we can definitely expect him to be very motivated here.

Real Madrid themselves have hit some fantastic form. They won 5 of last 6 games across La Liga and Copa scoring 17 goals in these 6 games. Madrid most recently picked up an impressive result at Nou Camp in the cup managing a 1-1 draw and could’ve really got more from that game. Definitely look like an improved side right now.

Real Madrid’s away games this season have been extremely high scoring averaging 3.6 goals per game. Madrid have actually got a negative 19:21 goal difference away from home, but their record is 3^rd best in La Liga in terms of points. Poor defending on their travels is something that must get addressed as they only kept 1 clean sheet from 11 and have nearly been conceding 2 goals per game away from home.

Nobody is playing better than Karim Benzema for Real Madrid right now who has 6 goals 1 assists in his last 5 games either scoring or assisting once in each of those 5 games. Benzema is one of the most in form players in the world right now and will be crucial for Madrid in this game.

Madrid’s improved form can definitely be related to the fact that the team has gotten healthy with every key player back, also emergence of young players such as Vinicius, Reguillon, Llorente has helped for sure as they’ve been able to get into the team over some top named players in this good run.

The meeting at the Bernabeu between these sides ended with a 0-0 draw. It was a feisty fixture with 7 bookings but saw no goals. It’s kinda been the trend in recent H2H games between these sides. Lots of cards but not much goals. Past 4 league meetings have seen a total of 4 goals and 25 cards between these clubs.

Real Madrid have had decent success recently playing Atetico away in the league going unbeaten in 3 straight. 1W 2D (1-1 0-3 0-0). However we do have to address that certain Cristiano Ronaldo was a part of Real Madrid team then.

According to Unibet, Atletico to win are the favourites at 2.50, Real to win 3.05. Draw is tipped at 3.20

 

Team News

Atletico Madrid: Diego Costa and Stefan Savic are both out for Atletico. Meanwhile, Diego Godin, Koke and Saul Niguez are all questionable as they’re pushing to return from injuries.

Real Madrid: Marcos Llorente is unlikely to play, otherwise everyone else are available for Real Madrid.

 

Betting Stats

Atletico Madrid are just tied 16^th best at covering total goal overs at Home this season at 27.3% (3-8).

Atletico Madrid are tied 15^th best at covering 1^st half total goal overs at Home this season at 18.2% (2-3-6).

Antoine Griezmann is Atletico’s top scorer at Home this season with 6 home league goals.

Atletico Madrid average 2.54 bookings per game at Home this season in the league (28 bookings in 11 games).

Atletico Madrid are tied 9^th best at covering Handicaps at Home this season at 45.5% (5-1-5).

Atletico Madrid are tied 3^rd best at covering 1^st half Handicaps, however it’s just at 45.5% (5-6).

Real Madrid are 7^th best at covering total goal overs away from home at 45.5% (5-2-4).

Real Madrid are 4^th best at covering total 1^st half goal overs away from home at 45.5% (5-6).

Karim Benzema is Madrid’s top scorer away from home with 6 goals. Only Messi has more away goals than him in La Liga.

Real Madrid average 2.45 bookings away from home (27 bookings in 11 games).

Real Madrid are 18^th best/3^rd worst at covering Handicaps away from home at 36.4% (4-7).

Real Madrid are tied 9^th best at covering 1^st half Handicaps away from home this season at 45.5% (5-6)

 

KICK OFF – 9^th February 2019 – 3:15pm UK Time