The Spanish capital will be set alight on Sunday as Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid square off in one of the biggest fixtures in European club football.
The 230th iteration of El Derbi Madrileño will pit two sides who have had contrasting results so far this season.
Real Madrid have been utterly dominant, decimating everyone in their path by winning all eight competitive fixtures they have played in all competitions.
Atletico Madrid, for their part, have stuttered and flattered to deceive. Diego Simeone's men have blown hot and cold with four wins, two losses and a draw registered in their seven competitive fixtures across all competitions.
Both sides come into the game on the back of contrasting 2-0 results against German opposition in the UEFA Champions League.
Atletico conceded two goals in the space of three late second-half minutes in a 2-0 loss away to Bayer Leverkusen. Federico Valverde and Vinicius Junior scored to guide Real Madrid to a routine 2-0 home win against RB Leipzig.
Los Blancos will turn their attention to league action where they will be looking to preserve or extend their two-point advantage at the summit. Atletico Madrid sit in seventh spot on 10 points.
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Prediction
The build-up to the game has been mired in off-field controversy surrounding racism. This only increases the intensity and passion for a game that is historically one of the most keenly-contested derbies in the world.
Real Madrid are understandably the odds-on favorite to emerge victorious but this being a derby means that nothing can be taken for granted. Karim Benzema's absence is a potential blow for Carlo Ancelotti, although Vinicius has led the charge well in the Frenchman's absence.
Furthermore, Atletico have lost their famed defensive resoluteness and are more easily breached these days.
The high stakes involved means both sides will go all out for victory and a packed Wanda Metropolitano could have an impact on proceedings. However, we expect Real Madrid's winning run to continue in a hard-fought victory.
Prediction: Atletico Madrid 1-2 Real Madrid
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Real Madrid to win
Tip 2 - Both teams to score
Tip 3 - Over 2.5 goals
Bold Tip - Vinicius Jr to score at anytime
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