Real Madrid come into this game after a well-needed break so early on in the season. The international break gave Ancelotti's men time to push aside the disappointments from the previous domestic game away to Real Sociedad, where they abandoned a 2-0 lead, allowing the hosts to snatch maximum points with a 4-2 win.
Atletico Madrid on the other hand managed to overcome minnows Eibar in a tight affair which they won 2-1 at the Vicente Calderon stadium. Prior to that, when these two sides last met, Los Rojiblancos won, again with a one-goal advantage, in the Spanish Super Cup final which was played over two legs.
This tie is never a subtle one, which never goes amiss. Red cards, yellow cards, goals, touchline scraps, flying tackles, and the occasional headbutt are not unusual in any sense in game of such firey nature. The two sides are situated just 5 miles apart from eachother and there has always been a vicious rivalry between them, so when Atletico Madrid became victorious at the end of last year's domestic campaign, Los Blancos fans and players alike were not content to say the least.
However, it has been reported that the Santiago Bernabeu, where the game will be played on Saturday evening, has sold just over 30 tickets to travelling Atletico fans. The game is not being shown on television so that has no part to play, but some have questioned the 70 euro asking price for tickets. For the diehard fan, this game comes just before the Champions League is set to commence and therefore some have to pick and choose where they travel to as a result of cost.
No matter how many Atletico fans make the cross-city voyage, the atmosphere in the Bernabeu is still guaranteed to be hostile.
After the departure of Diego Costa, Atletico will be relying on new hitman Mario Mandzukic to provide a new threat to the likes of Sergio Ramos and Pepe. On the opposite side, Cristiano Ronaldo has been back in full training and will therefore be expected to start the game.
Expect fireworks and fury in a fixture expected to provide plenty of entertainment.
Recent Form:
Real Madrid - L W L D L
Atletico Madrid - W D W D W
Probable Lineups:
Real Madrid - Casillas; Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric; Bale, Rodriguez, Ronaldo; Benzema.
Atletico Madrid - Moya; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Siqueira; Gabi, Mario Suarez; Raul Garcia, Griezmann, Koke; Mandzukic.