Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid: Visitors to ruin Bale’s big day
Published:El Derbi Madrelino, or the Madrid Derby to you and I, is understandably being billed as Gareth Bale’s big moment to repay the faith, but hugely dangerous Atletico carry the form to leave the Welshman with bittersweet memories of his home debut.
Admittedly, a look at the stats over recent encounters in this Spanish capital city rivalry, do not read favourably for fans of Atletico.
Despite an extra-time Copa del Rey win over Real at the business end of last season, the record books show that Atletico remain winless in the last 22 league meetings against their globally famous neighbours, taking in six draws.
However, since Diego Simeone took charge in December 2011, Atletico have gradually been closing the gap, finishing only nine points worse off in La Liga last season, while they’ve started this campaign with an absolute bang.
Six straight wins in the league is matched only by Barcelona. Meanwhile, Real dropped points at Vilarreal and were only prevented from embarrassingly dropping two more at bottom club Elche by the award of a hugely controversial stoppage time penalty, which saved their blushes.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti has openly admitted that he fears his next opponents and the clues are there that this is the time for the less glamorous neighbours to finally take the spoils at 21/15.
Stopping Real scoring, however, may be a task beyond them or any team for that matter. You have to go back 31 games in all competitions to find the last team to achieve that feat, giving reason to the slender 9/20 on both teams to score.
A home debut goal to match his full debut is a tempting punt on Bale at 11/8, though summer Liverpool target Diego Costa is simply smouldering right now, with seven goals from six outings and priced at 11/2 to land the first blow.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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