Capital rivals Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will lock horns in the final of the Spanish Super Cup on Sunday night having both come through their respective semi-finals.
Zinedine Zidane's side booked their spot in the showpiece final courtesy of a 3-1 success over Valencia, while Atletico beat Barcelona 3-2 to advance.
Match preview
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Last February, it was announced that the usual two-team Super Cup format would be changed to four teams, with Saudi Arabia hosting the tournament. There is no question that it has been a controversial change, but the competition has thrown up two exciting matches already and another will occur this weekend.
Real Madrid had opened their 2020 with a 3-0 win over Getafe on January 4 before recording a 3-1 victory over Valencia in the first semi-final of the Super Cup on Wednesday night. Toni Kroos, Isco and Luka Modric scored the goals for Zidane's side, who have had an extra 24 hours of rest.
In the grand scheme of things, Los Blancos will feel that they have bigger fish to fry this season, but the chance to land the Super Cup at the expense of their bitter rivals means that the importance of the match cannot be downplayed.
This is a trophy that Real Madrid have won on 10 occasions, with their last success coming in 2017. They will also enter the match having not lost in any competition since October 19, which has seen them keep pace at the top of La Liga, in addition to qualifying for the last-16 stage of the Champions League.
There has already been one Madrid derby between these two teams this season and that took place at the Wanda Metropolitano back in September, with the pair playing out a tense goalless draw.
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Atletico's spot in the new-look competition was confirmed courtesy of finishing second in La Liga last season. They were, on paper, handed a tougher semi-final than Real Madrid having been paired with Barcelona.
The Spanish champions led 2-1 just past the hour on Thursday, but late goals from Alvaro Morata and Angel Correa saw Diego Simeone's side record a 3-2 win to book their spot in Sunday's showpiece final.
The Red and Whites have not been without their problems this season, but they have now won their last five matches in all competitions, overcoming Lokomotiv Moscow in the Champions League, Osasuna, Real Betis and Levante in La Liga, and Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup.
Somewhat surprisingly, Atletico have only won this competition on two previous occasions, the last of which was in 2014. Like Real Madrid, they will not have viewed it as a priority, but there was plenty of purpose about their performance against Ernesto Valverde's side in the semi-finals.
Real Madrid form (all competitions): WDDDWW
Atletico Madrid form (all competitions): DWWWWWW
Team News
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Real Madrid will again be without the services of Marco Asensio and Eden Hazard, while Gareth Bale will play no part in the final as the Wales international is struggling with a chest infection.
Karim Benzema is also a major doubt due to a hamstring problem, meaning that Luka Jovic, who has largely struggled since arriving over the summer, could keep his spot in the final third of the field.
It would not be a surprise to see Zidane select the same side that started against Valencia, meaning that Isco and Modric would again start slightly ahead of Federico Valverde, Casemiro and Kroos.
That said, James Rodriguez, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes are all options for change in the final third of the field.
As for Atletico, Thomas Lemar and Diego Costa remain on the sidelines through injury, but key centre-back Jose Gimenez could shake off an injury to start this weekend.
There will be no Koke for Simeone's side, however, with the midfielder picking up a thigh problem after entering the field against Barca.
As a result, experienced Mexican Hector Herrera should earn another start in midfield, while Joao Felix, Morata and Correa are all expected to feature from the start once again.
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Mendy; Valverde, Casemiro, Kroos; Modric, Isco; Jovic
Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:
Oblak; Trippier, Savic, Gimenez, Lodi; Saul, Thomas, Herrera, Correa; Felix, Morata
We say: Real Madrid 0-1 Atletico Madrid
We just have a sneaky feeling for Atletico on Sunday night. Both teams are without key players heading into the contest, but Real Madrid's lack of options in attack could hurt them in the final. It is unlikely to be a high-scoring affair, though, and we are therefore tipping just the one goal in Saudi Arabia.
Matt Law
