The first La Liga Madrid derbi of 2018/19 takes place on Saturday evening with things suddenly looking very exciting and unexpected at the top of the table.
Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui’s injury-hit team must regroup following a first defeat of the season at Sevilla on Wednesday, while Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone’s side go to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu after scoring five goals and taking six points in their last two LaLiga outings.
Saturday’s other showpiece game sees leaders Barcelona, rocking after picking up just one point from their last two games, hosting an Athletic Bilbao side who also lost their unbeaten LaLiga record midweek.
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LaLiga’s game week seven begins Friday night when Rayo Vallecano will aim for their first home win of 2018/19 against an Espanyol team who have just one point on their travels so far.
Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off is Real Sociedad at home to Valencia – with the Txuri-Urdin similarly aiming for an opening three points at their newlook Anoeta stadium, and Los Che yet to win away from their own supporters.
Later on Saturday, Eibar will be aiming for a third straight home victory at Ipurua against a freescoring Sevilla side who shocked Real Madrid 3-0 on Wednesday evening and have 10 goals in two LaLiga games outside the Andalusian capital so far this season.