The only thing about football leagues that is bad sometimes is the lack of a Final. One single deciding game between two teams that decides the championship. But that's the reason why leagues exist: to reward the most consistent, best performing team in a country that season.
In this season of La Liga, Barcelona is set to be rewarded for their spectacular domestic year. With a gigantic lead at the top of the table, the Blaugrana are in prime position to win the Spanish League title. However, with 13 games to go, it's impossible to guarantee that the Catalans already own the trophy, especially with the strength of two of their league opponents.
On Saturday afternoon, the two face each other in the Spanish capital, and it is one of those games you can call a Final: Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid are next to each other in third and second place in the table, respectively, and they meet at Santiago Bernabéu in a game that will decide which of the two Madrid giants will chase Barça until the finish line of the league.
Which of them will do it? The answer is certainly coming after a fascinating match.
TEAM NEWS
REAL MADRID
Los Blancos are going to play the local derby without three key players: left-back Marcelo, center-back Pepe and winger Gareth Bale all miss the game through injury, and the team is significantly less powerful with those three on the sidelines. Marcelo and Pepe especially will be sorely missed: they anchor the left side of the defense, Marcelo doesn't even have a backup, and Pepe's replacement, Raphael Varane, is not enjoying his best form right now.
Zidane will be forced to make some changes on the back four. Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos and Varane will be there, but Marcelo's position is difficult to sort out: full-back Danilo could start and swap sides with Carvajal, but Danilo is not a great defender, so one flank is going to be easily exploitable for the opposition. Center-back Nacho can also play on the left, but then Madrid will miss some vital full-back support, which will be necessary against Atleti's great defensive system.
The Bale problem is easily fixable: the Welsh winger has missed significant time with injury, and Zidane has used James Rodríguez in his position. The Colombian international has done well and started to improve under the new coach, so the offense is not an issue. Cristiano Ronaldo is definitely playing, so the only offensive piece to be confirmed is Karim Benzema. The striker recovered in time from physical issues and is set to feature on Saturday. It's unclear to whether or not he is going to start, but that should happen due to the importance of the game.
ATLÉTICO MADRID
Diego Simeone has no significant injuries to worry about, other than the long-time absence of midfielder Tiago. José María Giménez, this season's revelation on the defense, is back from a card suspension and should start again alongside his fellow countryman Diego Godín. Augusto Fernández made a fantastic recovery from what appeared to be a serious knee problem, and is cleared to play and even start at the Bernabéu. Antoine Griezmann, who is surprisingly going through a goal drought, is fit and ready to start as well, and will certainly be key for the Colchoneros on Saturday.
Simeone will not change his tactics and will come to the Bernabéu to defend well, answer on the counter and use set pieces to score. They can also press high early on and trying to get a quick lead like they did against Barcelona last month. It's a fascinating team that is perfectly positioned to end Zidane's perfect record at home.
LIKELY LINE-UPS
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Navas; Danilo, Varane, Ramos, Carvajal; Kroos, Modric, Isco; James, Benzema, Ronaldo
Atlético Madrid (4-4-2): Oblak; Juanfran, Godín, Giménez, Luís; Saúl, Augusto, Gabi, Koke; Vietto, Griezmann
MATCH PREDICTION
Madrid plays well at home with Zidane, but without Bale, they might not be able to find a way through Atleti's defense. The Colchoneros will be dangerous and could get a goal or two. This has a draw written all over it, and the result would be sensational for Barça. 1-1.
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