Atlético Madrid vs. Real Madrid: Preview and TV schedule

The Madrid derby doesn't need additional subplots to be a big game but this latest edition of one of Spain's most heated rivalries carries with massive implication in the title race. League leaders Real Madrid can push their city rivals Atlético Madrid further away from the top spot with a victory while Atléti could jump right back into the mix with three points.

Madrid had the busier week of the two teams, playing in the Champions League in the midweek and defeat Schalke 04 by a comfortable 6-1 scoreline. Carlo Ancleotti's team stayed healthy so he'll have a full range of options available to him for the derby. It's doubtful he'll tinker much with his lineup, preferring to stick with what is working.

Diego Simeone and Atléti need a win badly after their pathetic performance last week in a 3-0 loss against Osasuna. They'll also need to shake off the memory of their 5-0 aggregate defeat at the hands of Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinals last month. After such a strong run of form this season that has seen the Colchoneros at or near the top all season, it would be a disappointing blow to fall six points back of the leaders with less than three months to go in the season.

Out: Sami Khedira (knee)

Atlético Madrid: Thibault Courtois, Juanfran, João Miranda, Diego Godín, Filipe Luís, Gabi, Koke, Adrián López, Diego, Diego Costa, David Villa.

Real Madrid: Diego López, Dani Carvajal, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Luka Modrić, Xabi Alonso, Angel di María, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo.