La Liga Matchday 10 Preview: Time For The Madrid Derby

On a matchday that includes some intriguing clashes, the Spanish capital will come to a standstill as Atletico Madrid travel across town to face their city rivals Real Madrid. While it will be the first Madrid derby in 16 years that has not featured a certain Raúl Gonzalez, the match will also be marked in history as Jose Mourinho’s Madrid derby debut. On the back of a confident performance in Milan and with Pedro Leons late equaliser still fresh in the memory, ‘Los Merengues’ will host Atleti looking to preserve a proud derby run that has seen them unbeaten by their red and white neighbours since 1999, a record that the Atletico players will want to see end on Sunday night.

Atletico winger Jose Antonio Reyes appears to have shaken off a calf strain that saw him miss out on Thursday nights Europa League clash against Rosenborg, but defender Diego Godin will definitely watch the match from the stands as he recovers from injury. Real Madrid reported a clean bill of health after their midweek Champions League exploits, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain keen to continue their freescoring form in La Liga. Iker Casillas, labelled by Atleti coach Quique Sanchez Flores as the best keeper in the world in the build-up, will want to put the Milan match behind him as two uncharacteristic errors lead to both Milan goals. Atletico president Enrique Cerezo is confident enough his team will snatch all three points, but in truth they will need every bit of class and experience from their front pairing of Forlan and Agüero if they are going to get anything out of this match.