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Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid: Five key areas of battle

Sport360 staff

12:07 19/11/2016

Ahead of Saturday’s Madrid derby between Atletico and Real, we look at five key areas of battle for both sides as they aim to secure city bragging rights.

Who do you think will come out on top and what do you make of our five talking points?

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BENZEMA BACK?

With Alvaro Morata missing through injury sustained on international duty, the return of Karim Benzema after two weeks out is an important boost for Zinedine Zidane.

But even if he can play, will Benzema be fully fit and effective?

PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVANTAGE

Atleti are unbeaten in six La Liga games against their rivals and undoubtedly enjoy the psychological edge.

They have been particularly dominant at home and Real know winning at the Vicente Calderon is a major task.

GRIEZMANN’S FITNESS

Benzema isn’t the only French international striker with fitness worries: Atletico’s star man Antoine Griezmann missed his country’s midweek friendly against the Ivory Coast with a foot injury and, even if he starts, may lack his usual zip.

RAMOS TO START?

Yet another fitness question is whether Sergio Ramos will start.

The Madrid captain is clearly an influential player and he has been passed fit, but he was in poor form before being injured and must be rusty after more than a month out.

MIDFIELD BATTLE

The absence of midfield duo Casemiro and Toni Kroos gives Atletico a major advantage in the centre of the pitch, and Zidane must come up with a gameplan to prevent Luka Modric from being swamped by Atletico’s relentless pressing game.

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