Atletico and Real clash in the first Madrid derby of the season on Sunday night. Both teams are in danger of falling behind league leaders Barcelona, meaning neither can afford to lose the crunch match.
Best Atletico vs Real Madrid betting tips
Conor Gallagher to get a card – 13/8 with VBET
Over 2.5 goals – 4/5 with VBET
Vinicius Jr. to score or assist – 10/11 with VBET
Atletico vs Real Madrid top offer
Atletico vs Real Madrid odds
Find the latest match odds for Atletico vs Real Madrid. All odds are provided by our best-reviewed football bookmakers. Odds are subject to change.
Atletico vs Real Madrid predictions
The first Madrid derby of the new La Liga season takes place at Atletico’s Cívitas Metropolitano home on Sunday night.
Both teams are unbeaten so far this season. But both have dropped points and are already falling behind league leaders, Barcelona, who top the table with 21 points.
Diego Simeone’s Atletico sit third in the table on 15 points. They have won four and drawn three.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Real are second in the table. Los Blancos have 17 points after winning five and drawing two.
Early days, yes. But this already feels like a no-lose match for both teams in the race to be La Liga champions this season.
In their most recent match, Atletico sneaked a 1-0 away win over Celta Vigo on Thursday night. The home side slightly had the better of the match. But Julian Alvarez was the difference, with the Argentine striker coming off the bench to combine with Antoine Griezmann for Atletico’s winner.
It’s been a slow start to the season for Alvarez following his big-money move from Manchester City.
Last night’s goal was only his second in his seven matches. Could it be the goal that gets his new career in Spain up and running?
Real Madrid haven’t got into their groove yet this season.
Two draws on the road in their opening three matches is where the damage has been done. But at least dropping points in the opening handful of matches gives Los Blancos plenty of time to catch up.
Despite winning their last four in La Liga, things still don’t look to have clicked for Ancelotti’s team.
Yes, they have an embarrassment of riches. But they are still searching for the right formula to accommodate all their stars.
At the moment, Real seems to be relying on one of their many world class players stepping up and producing a moment of brilliance, as opposed to being a well-oiled machine that plays the opposition off the park.
In their most recent outing, Real managed to hold on for a nervy 3-2 win against Alaves on Tuesday. It was a match they were winning at a canter when 3-0 up.
Despite Real dominating possession (they had 69% to 31 for Alaves) in the home win, the visitors still managed more attempts on goal. Real had ten attempts on goal, Alaves had 12.
Obviously, the most important stat is the scoreline. And Madrid did hold on for a 3-2 win, despite the late fightback from Luis García’s team.
One of the reasons for the win was the contribution from Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman scored the second of the match, putting daylight between Los Blancos and Alaves.
But the good news for Mbappe ended there as he is set to miss the derby with a hamstring injury.
Atletico vs Real Madrid betting tips. 18+ GambleAware.org – Please play responsibly.
Atletico vs Real Madrid betting tips
All three outcomes are possible in the Derbi Madrileño. And with some of the biggest names in world football on show, the match promises to be a spectacular occasion.
Conor Gallagher to get a card
We are tempted to go with the hot-headed Endrick in this market. He probably should have seen red in his brief 20 minute appearance against Alaves, but got away with a yellow.
If he plays, back him. But we are not sure he will start.
So instead we are going for Atletico’s Conor Gallagher to pick up a card.
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Gallagher only knows one way to play. He gets his foot in and ruffles feathers. And in the red hot atmosphere of a derby at the Metropolitano, the former Chelsea man will be fired up to make an impression.
Gallagher could well be the target of a referee looking to impose himself on the game with an early booking. And his style of play could also make him an obvious target if Real decide to use the dark arts as a tactic.
Back Conor Gallagher to pick up a card at 13/8 with VBET
Over 2.5 goals
The corresponding fixture here last season finished 3-1 to Atletico.
We all know that Diego Simeone is an expert at shutting a game down. But this is too early in the season to be employing those tactics. And with his team playing at home, Simeone is more likely to go for the win.
Julian Alvarez scored his second goal of the season on Thursday. And with Alexander Sørloth and Antoine Griezmann available to Simeone, Atletico has the attacking players available to take the game to Real in front of their home fans.
Real also has plenty of goals in them. They may be without Kylian Mbappe. But they still have the likes of Rodrygo, Endrick, Bellingham and Vinicius Jr. available.
With the quality in their ranks, it’s hard to see Real not scoring.
Choose over 2.5 goals at 4/5 with VBET
Vinicius Jr. to score or assist
How many times have we witnessed Vinicius Jr. do something spectacular in a big match?
In the UK, we may get carried away with what Jude Bellingham is achieving in Madrid. But when it comes to the first name on the team sheet, most Los Blancos fans wouldn’t see past the Brazilian speedster.
Vinicius is the man for the big occasion. He can get on the end of a cross to score. Or he can be the provider, using his blistering pace to break away and slot a teammate in for a tap-in.
With Kylian Mbappe set to miss out, the responsibility of leading the Real attack will fall back on the shoulders of Vinicius Jr.
He won’t want to pass up an opportunity like this.
Back Vinicius Jr. to score or assist at 10/11 with VBET
How to watch Atletico vs Real Madrid
Location: Cívitas Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain.
Date and time: Sunday 29th September, 8pm, BST.
How to watch: Live on La Liga TV
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About the author
Dean Etheridge
Dean Etheridge is an experienced freelance sports betting writer who specialises in football. He predominantly covers the Premier League and Champions League but can turn his hand to all aspects of the beautiful game. You can follow Dean on LinkedIn (@deanetheridge)
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