Crucial derby clash at the top of La Liga could have serious repercussions on the Spanish title race.
Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid go head to head this weekend in a derby that promises to be as feisty as it is important to the standings in La Liga…
SEE MORE:
(Images) First Pictures Of Sorry Looking James Rodriguez Appear As Real Madrid Ace Misses Derby Clash vs Atletico
David Moyes To Pounce On £18m Real Madrid Outcast Ahead Of Liverpool
Happy Birthday Cristiano Ronaldo! 10 Of The Most Interesting Facts About The Real Madrid And Manchester United Legend
Whilst Real have won 17 of their last 18 matches in La Liga, Atletico have failed to win just once in their last 31 league matches at the Vicente Claderon.
And Real have failed to beat their fierce rivals in the last five Madrid derbies, losing in the reverse fixture in February before being knocked out of the Copa del Rey last month.
It’s set to be a quite titanic bout and here are five battles that could prove decisive.
Raphael Varane v Mario Mandzukic
With Ramos out injured for an extended period, the spotlight now turns to Varane to step up in his stead.
The Frenchman has been almost a constant in the Real backline this season but will have to be at his intelligent best to handle the power of Mandzukic.
Whilst Varane excells with defending in the air, he’ll come against a whole other kind of beast in the big Croat with around a third of his goals in La Liga so far scored with his head.