Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Atletico Madrid - La Liga | OneFootball

Defeat at Espanyol means Real Madrid's lead at the La Liga summit is a mere point ahead of a huge Madrid Derby.

With the title race ever so tight in Spain and plenty of scope for twists and turns, Saturday's fixture between the capital's giants won't necessary decide the division's champion when it's all said and done but it could have a huge bearing.

Madrid haven't tasted defeat to Atleti at the Bernabeu since 2016, but the visitors are in a rampant mood while the hosts have availability concerns in defence and balance issues further forward.

Carlo Ancelotti's surely going to have to do some tinkering and juggling. Here's the team he could pick for Atletico's visit.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Atletico Madrid (4-3-3)

Real Madrid risk relinquishing their status at the top of La Liga this weekend / Alex Caparros/GettyImages

GK: Thibaut Courtois - Ancelotti rang the changes for Madrid's 3-2 Copa del Rey victory over Leganes on Wednesday, with Andriy Lunin getting a rare start. Courtois is a sure bet to return on Saturday.

RB: Lucas Vazquez - Ancelotti oddly opted for 90 minutes of Federico Valverde at right-back in midweek, with Vazquez drifting in and out of the side as of late. However, the veteran should be included this weekend.

CB: Aurelien Tchouameni - The French international has proven he's a serviceable centre-back option on his many starts in Madrid's defence this term. He'll have to drop into the backline again for the derby.

CB: Raul Asencio - Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba and Eder Militao are all out, so there will be a first start in this fixture for the highly-regarded Asencio.

LB: Fran Garcia - There's been plenty of shuffling at left-back in recent weeks, and Garcia may have leapfrogged Ferland Mendy in the depth chart. The diminutive full-back's superior attacking threat may be required to aid Madrid's bid to penetrate a compact Atleti block.

CM: Federico Valverde - The Uruguayan probably didn't need to endure the entirety of Wednesday's cup tie, but he's one of few who rarely seemed bothered by this 'fatigue' concept.

CM: Eduardo Camavinga - It's been nothing but bad news on the injury front for Madrid as of late, but Camavinga's projected return from a hamstring issue is a major boost.

CM: Jude Bellingham - Ancelotti's got to do something if he's to stop the visitors running amok on the counter. If he doesn't want to sacrifice one of his star-studded front four, he may have to restrict Bellingham's attacking freedom.

RW: Rodrygo - The Brazilian is better off the left, but he won't be getting into the team over his superior compatriot on his preferred flank.

ST: Kylian Mbappe - Remarkably, this is the first time Diego Simeone is game-planning for Mbappe. The Frenchman has never encountered a Simeone-led team, and a concerted effort will be made by the visitors to shun Madrid's newest superstar.

LW: Vinicius Junior - Vini has spent much of 2025 suspended, and his year hasn't yet kicked into gear. A dazzling display in the derby would be a timely return to form.