After the controversial victory at Elche helped them keep up with two of their bitter rivals, Real Madrid aim to prove they have what it takes to mount a serious title challenge this term.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid arrive at Santiago Bernabeu hoping to keep their 100% record intact, with los Colchoneros desperate to repeat the result from last year’s Copa del Rey final.

A new era has begun at Santiago Bernabeu with the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti and Gareth Bale, while the signing of three home-based players is enough to suggest a U-turn in club’s transfer strategy.

With the squad undergoing some big changes, nobody expected Real would be able to hit the ground running early on, and it does appear the team are still searching for form.

The good news is that some under-par performances did not cost them dearly in the opening exchanges, with los Blancos dropping just two points so far, although they needed a huge help from the officials to record a win over newly promoted Elche.

Real scored from a non-existent penalty deep into injury time after Richmond Boakye’s injury-time goal had cancelled Cristiano Ronaldo’s opener.

Los Merengues will not have a lot of time to worry about their performance in midweek as they host bitter rivals Atletico on Saturday, and they are 1.70 (7/10) with BetVictor to get revenge for the Copa del Rey defeat.

Having finally rediscovered his scoring boots, Cristiano Ronaldo is 1.68 (17/25) to continue his excellent scoring run.

Gareth Bale is finally expected to make his home debut having recovered from injury, but Xabi Alonso remains on the sidelines.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Lopez – Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo – Khedira, Modric – Bale, Isco, Ronaldo – Benzema.

Two draws with Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup hinted that Atletico had further closed the gap behind Spain’s top sides, but the fact is nobody expects los Colchoneros to mount a serious title challenge in La Liga.

Diego Simeone’s side are not concerning themselves with pre-season predictions, but they are rather fully focused on task at hand and they have been absolutely brilliant so far.

While hammering star-studded Zenit in the Champions League, Atletico have won all six La Liga fixtures, and currently sit in second place due to inferior goal difference to Barcelona.

Normally, los Colchoneros would dread every clash with their local rivals, but being in such a good form and having finally ended the barren run by pipping Real to Copa del Rey trophy, they have every reason to feel optimistic before the trip to Santiago Bernabeu.

With the visitors clearly having the psychological advantage here, there may be some value in odds of 5.50 (9/2) offered at Paddy Power on away win.

After scoring no less than 7 goals in first 6 league fixtures, Diego Costa is no less than 4.00 (3/1) with Betfred to get on the scoresheet at the Bernabeu.

Mario Suarez and Adrian Lopez are both injury doubts, but Gabi, David Villa and Filipe Luis should be recalled.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Courtois – Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Filipe Luis – Koke, Gabi, Garcia, Arda – Diego Costa, Villa.

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