Real Madrid vs. Atlético Madrid: Preview and betting tips

Thursday’s football programme will feature the Madrid derby in the quarter-finals of the League Cup. What to expect from the confrontation of two teams that have been chasing Barcelona in vain in the league so far and what to bet on?

Real are not at 100% after the break for the World Cup. It lost to Villarreal and Barcelona, but it is on a roll in the League Cup. They knocked out Cacerano, then Villarreal. Second in the league table, three points behind first-placed Barcelona.

Atlético has had to knock out four opponents in the cup, Almazán, Arenterio, Oviedo and most recently Levante. They have been struggling in the league all season, yet they are in fourth place. However, they are only three points clear of seventh place.

Real Madrid’s key figures

Real rely on Karim Benzema, the French striker and winner of the last Ballon d’Or has netted 12 goals and assisted once. Brazilian winger Vinicíus has netted 11 goals and added five assists.

Atlético Madrid’s key figures

The visitors stand on the performance of Antoine Griezmann, the French striker or sub scored seven times and assisted nine times. Spanish international Álvaro Morata has opened the net eight times and assisted on two goals.

The home side rely on a goal-scoring attack, with 38 accurate shots they have the best offensive record in La Liga, scoring more than once in five of their last seven games. Barcelona, for example, scored a treble in the league’s El Clasico.

Moreover, Atlético are bad defensively by his standards and by Diego Simeone’s standards. 16 goals conceded is the highest number in the top 6 after Real Sociedad. On the other hand, it has kept a clean sheet in four of its last seven games.

Taking into account the Vinícius and Benzema factor, Real Madrid’s home strength, Atlético’s general discomfort in the squad and the absence of the injured Yannick Carrasco and José Gimenez, I think the home side will win.

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