Following Girona’s draw Saturday, Actual Madrid have an opportunity to take management of a good La Liga title race however they’re going to have formidable opponents in Atletico Madrid. Already having been knocked out of the Copa Del Rey by the hands of their native rivals, struggling a setback within the title to Atletico Madrid could be unacceptable for Carlo Ancelotti and firm. 

Actual Madrid have been in a position to stand up to accidents this season to rise to the highest of the league however they cannot take their toes off the fuel even when centerback Antonio Rudiger cannot function after choosing up a thigh damage midweek.

This is our storylines, how one can watch the match and extra:

watch and odds

• Date: Sunday, Feb. 4 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
• Location: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu — Madrid, Spain
• TV: None  | Dwell stream: ESPN+
• Odds: Actual Madrid -135; Draw +300; Atletico Madrid +320 

Storylines

Actual Madrid: Squaring off in opposition to Alvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann, Rudiger’s health is crucial. He left the match in opposition to Getafe at halftime however with Eder Militao and David Alaba each already out for the season, if Rudiger cannot function, Dani Carvajal might have to be the emergency centerback. Ancelloti has downplayed how severe Rudiger’s damage was in the course of the week however that is solely pure to do forward of a derby. Possession may rapidly turn out to be the very best protection for Los Blancos with how this match is shaping up.

Atletico Madrid: Primarily out of the working for the title however in strong grasp of a European spot, matches like this one are what outline Atletico Madrid’s season. With Alvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann in a few of the finest type of their careers, this Atleti aspect may go on a run in Champions League however a victory over their cross-town rivals could be a terrific consequence to instill confidence that they’ll do it. The duo has scored 24 mixed objectives whereas the protection anchored by Axel Witsel is as sturdy as ever so the time is now to exit and provides Los Blancos all that they’ll.

Prediction

It is exhausting to foretell the match as a result of if Rudiger performs, I do not see Actual Madrid dropping but when the ever-present center-back does not Atleti will be capable of safe a slim victory. I’ll assume he performs however flip my rating prediction if he does not. Choose: Actual Madrid 2, Atletico Madrid 1