Madrid derby offers early La Liga test for Real and Atlético

Real Madrid will visit Atlético Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on Sunday for a Matchday 7 La Liga derby that has been framed as an early test in the title race.

Real have won five of their six league matches and most recently defeated Elche 3–2. Atlético have collected 13 points from six games and enter the match after victories over Real Sociedad and Osasuna.

Yahoo Sports reports that Jude Bellingham and Arda Güler are expected to start for Real in a 4-2-3-1 formation. The predicted selection has not been confirmed by an official team sheet.

Real are reportedly without Éder Militão, Rodrygo Goes and Ferland Mendy. Bellingham is expected to return after being rested against Elche.

The derby will test whether Real can maintain their early momentum against an Atlético side that has also built a strong start to the season.