Two derbies in Madrid, both key in the European and title race

Real Madrid, Rayo Vallecano, Getafe CF and Atlético de Madrid are all based in the Community of Madrid and they’ll all face off amongst themselves during LALIGA EA SPORTS Matchday 27. Los Merengues and Los Vallecanos will meet at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday, while Los Azulones and Los Colchoneros will do so in the Coliseum the same day.

These are two hugely important fixtures, since they matter a lot in terms of the LALIGA EA SPORTS title race and also the battle to qualify for European competitions. In the case of Getafe CF, they also need to be looking over their shoulders, since the relegation zone is only six points behind them in this competitive league. 

Real Madrid face one of their toughest opponents of the past few seasons

Los Blancos have managed to beat Rayo Vallecano on just one of the last five occasions they have met. In that period, the team from Vallecas have earned three draws against Los Merengues in their last three meetings, including a 0-0 draw at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. Carlos Ancelotti’s side will need to turn the tide and take all three points if they are not to fall too far behind the leaders in the title race, especially since Real Madrid have recorded just one win in their last five league games, with two draws and two defeats. 

Iñigo Pérez’s men will be looking to achieve a victory at Real Madrid’s stadium for the first time since January 21st 1996, which is their only win so far at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. Rayo Vallecano can travel across town with confidence, having suffered just two defeats in the past 12 matchdays. They also played very well on their recent visit to FC Barcelona, and only lost 1-0, just as they only lost 1-0 at home to Villarreal CF despite playing with a man disadvantage for an hour. 

The latest duel between Vinícius and Andrei Rațiu  

Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano is a game with many quality players, especially on Los Blancos’ left flank and the visitors’ right. That’s where Vinícius and Andrei Rațiu will do battle, and they’re both so quick at the same time as possessing the quality to be considered among the best in their position in the competition. 

Vinícius usually makes right-backs suffer, but the Romanian full-back is able to win a lot of duels too and it should be fascinating to watch these two footballers give their all in this LALIGA EA SPORTS duel.

Atlético de Madrid want to keep up their good run at the Coliseum

When it comes to Atlético de Madrid, they’ll be looking to continue their great run of form at Getafe CF’s stadium, where they haven’t lost since November 6th 2011, a 3-2 defeat. Since that match, Los Colchoneros haven’t lost against Los Azulones at all, with the southern Madrid side only managing four draws in that time, two at home and two at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. Every other time, Diego Simone’s side have won, and sometimes quite convincingly. 

On this occasion, both teams have a lot at stake, as the home side are looking to confirm their place in the division and also push for Europe, while Atlético de Madrid need the three points to stay right in the mix in the title race, as they are currently second, just one point behind leaders FC Barcelona. Los Colchoneros are in a decisive moment of the season, as they’re fighting to be in the final of the Copa del Rey, in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League and to win LALIGA EA SPORTS. 

Bordalás takes on his Kryptonite

José Bordalás is a coach who has managed to beat almost all the other tacticians he has faced in Spain’s top division, but there is one who has always been tough to crack. That is none other than Diego Simeone, who is particularly good at facing Getafe CF, as he usually knows how to counteract their tactics at all times. The overall record between the two coaches is 11 wins for Simeone, three draws and no wins for Bordalás, with 29 goals scored for Atleti and just eight conceded, including the two matches they played when he was in charge of Valencia CF.  

It promises to be a fascinating weekend in Madrid, with two derbies on the same matchday and with all four clubs having a lot to play for. LALIGA EA SPORTS has been so tight throughout the campaign and two competitive derbies await.