Sports Mole previews Saturday's Madrid derby as Atletico host Real looking to close the gap in La Liga and extend their five-match unbeaten run against their neighbours.

Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid will meet for the sixth time already this season in a top-three battle in La Liga on Saturday.

It will be the 10th Madrid derby between the two Spanish giants within the last 12 months, with Real not having come out on top in one since the Champions League final back in May.

Atletico boast a record of three wins and two draws in the five matches so far this season, although they still find themselves seven points adrift of their neighbours in the table.

Real rode their luck at times as they beat Sevilla in their midweek game in hand to move four points clear of second-placed Barcelona at the top of the standings, extending their winning run in the league to five matches.

Indeed, Carlo Ancelotti's side have won 17 of their last 18 La Liga outings and are the only side in the division yet to draw a game this season.

Crucially for the visitors, Cristiano Ronaldo's absence has not hindered their results, and the reigning Ballon d'Or winner will return from suspension this weekend looking to add to his tally of 28 league goals already this season.

The Portuguese star will most likely replace James Rodriguez in the side after the Colombian was forced off with a foot injury shortly after opening the scoring against Sevilla.

Los Blancos also lost Sergio Ramos to a hamstring injury in midweek and the defender will undergo a late fitness test to determine whether he will be available or not, with fellow central defender Pepe also sidelined.

Real have lost both of their visits to the Vicente Calderon this season and were fairly comfortably beaten here in the Copa del Rey a month ago.

However, Atletico did fall to just their second home defeat in almost a year in their most recent match in front of their own fans, losing 3-2 to Barcelona in an eventful cup tie having played half of the match with 10 men and ended with only nine on the field.

They returned to winning ways last weekend, however, with Mario Mandzukic scoring a brace to help the reigning champions to a 3-1 victory over Eibar, keeping them in touch with the top two.

Diego Simeone's side will be full of confidence at home, despite the recent defeat to Barcelona, having dropped just five points at the Calderon in the league this season, giving them the best home record in the division.

The hosts will also be boosted by the return from suspension of captain Gabi, who is expected to slot straight back in alongside Tiago in the centre of midfield.

Antoine Griezmann and Mandzukic should both start up front again having each scored in the win over Eibar, but Fernando Torres is likely to feature at some point having found the back of the net against both Real and Barca since his return to the club.

Arda Turan and Cristian Ansaldi are both doubts for the match, but should recover in time to be available for selection from the start.

Atletico Madrid:

Form in La Liga: WWLWWW
Form in all competitions: DWLWLW

Possible starting lineup: Moya; Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Siqueira; Turan, Gabi, Tiago, Koke; Mandzukic, Griezmann

Real Madrid:

Form in La Liga: LWWWWW
Form in all competitions: WDWWWW

Possible starting lineup: Casillas; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Coentrao; Isco, Kroos, Khedira; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo

Sports Mole says: 2-2