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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Ben Hayward

Atletico vs Real Madrid lineups: Confirmed team news, predicted XIs and latest injury updates

Another Madrid derby awaits on Saturday. (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Eden Hazard are all expected to return to the starting XI for Real Madrid in the derby away to Atletico on Saturday night.

Coach Zinedine Zidane made eight changes for the 2-0 win over Osasuna on Wednesday, with a whole new attack for that game at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo scored the goals for Los Blancos, but the former will be back on the bench on Saturday, while the latter will be in action for Madrid's youth side, Castilla.

Zidane backed Hazard to shine in his pre-match press conference on Friday and the Belgian will have another chance to impress in this match, having done well in the 1-0 win at Sevilla last weekend.

After that success and the 2-0 victory over Osasuna, Madrid are top of the table with six games played, but Atletico are just a point back.

Marcelo, Isco and Luka Modric are all back in training and could be involved, but Ferland Mendy misses out through injury and his place looks likely to be occupied by Nacho at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Atletico are without former Madrid forward Alvaro Morata after the striker was sent off in the win over Mallorca on Wednesday. He therefore misses out through suspension.

Diego Simeone's side thrashed Real 7-3 in New Jersey in pre-season, but Zidane claimed on Friday that the loss in the United States would have no bearing on this meeting.

Possible Atletico XI: Oblak; Trippier, Savic, Gimenez, Lodi; Koke, Saul, Thomas, Lemar; Joao Felix, Costa

Possible Real Madrid XI: Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Nacho, Casemiro, Kroos, James; Bale, Benzema, Hazard

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