Rafa Benitez is facing arguably his toughest La Liga test since taking over Real Madrid as the head coach this season. This Sunday, he will lead the Los Blancos on the road against their city rivals Atletico Madrid, in an attempt to oust Diego Simeone’s side. The Los Blancos have beaten Atletico just twice in their last ten meetings in all competitions, underlining the magnitude of the challenge for Real Madrid in this top-heavy soccer betting showdown.
Atletico Madrid – Real Madrid Preview: Navas relishing derby test http://t.co/ZJGv11ukG2 pic.twitter.com/xXP6h4cECW
— Goal (@goal_intl) October 3, 2015
To win this game, Benitez will have to figure out new tactics, better than those used by Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti, who struggled against Atleti during their respective tenures at Real. Is Benitez the savior for Real, or will Simeone have the last laugh once again, as he’s often done in the recent past. Read on as we lay it all down for you in our game preview.
Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid Game Preview and Betting Analysis
Venue: Vicente Calderón, Madrid
Date: Sunday October 4, 2015
Time: 18:30 (GMT)
TV: LIGA BBVA
Soccer Odds: Atletico Madrid 19/10, Draw9/4, Real Madrid 14/10
Betting on the Atletico Madrid
The Rojiblancos have had a decent start to the La Liga title race this season, losing twice and winning four of their six games this season. Moreover, they have won two of their last three games they have played at home this campaign, with the loss coming against Barcelona.



Betting on the Real Madrid
The Los Blancos are undefeated with four wins and two draws this season. They have secured two wins from the three away games they have played so far this season, beating Espanyol 6-0 and Athletico Bilbao 2-1 following a goalless draw against the Sporting Gijon in the opening game of the season. In their last La Liga outing, they drew 0-0 at home against Malaga, but managed to secure a 2-0 win over Malmo in their midweek Champions League game, thanks to two well-taken Cristiano Ronaldo goals.



Possible Starting Lineups
• Atletico Madrid: (4-4-2): Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Gimenez, Filipe Luis; Tiago, Gabi, Saul Niguez, Oliver; Griezmann and Fernando Torres
• Real Madrid: (4-2-3-1): Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Pepe, Marcelo, Kroos, Modric, Jese, Isco, Ronaldo and Benzema
Form Guide
• Atletico Madrid Last Six La Liga Home Games WLWLDW
• Real Madrid Last Six La Liga Away Games WWDWWW
Key Betting Trends
• The Rojiblancos have only lost one of their last eight games against Real Madrid in all competitions (W4 D3)
• The Los Broncos have not been able to win in their last five visits to Vicente Calderón in all competitions (D2 L3)
• The Rojiblancos have only won one of their last 14 games at home against Real Madrid in La Liga (D3 L10)
• The Los Broncos have not scored in their last four visits to the Calderón in all competitions, their worst streak on Atletico’s home ground
Atletico vs. Real Madrid Prediction
Atleti have lost their last two games and will be little low on confidence ahead of the Sunday’s Derby. Meanwhile, the Los Blancos are still unbeaten this season and will be keen to overtake Villareal and Barcelona in the standings by beating Atletico at Vicente Calderón. That said, both defenses have been disciplined, so don’t expect a high-scoring affair. Betting on UNDER in the goal totals should thus be the best pick here, as Real Madrid probably secures a nervy 1-0 win.