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The winners of the 2020-21 La Liga trophy could very well be decided on Sunday as Atletico Madrid take on Real Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano. Los Blancos sit 5 points behind their rivals who have a game in hand, and need nothing short of a win to prevent the Rojiblancos from cantering to the league title.
Atletico Madrid have suffered losses to Levante and Chelsea recently, but defeated Villarreal 2-0 last time out - a victory that most would describe as fortunate. As for Real Madrid, their recent winning streak came to an end against Real Sociedad, with Zinedine Zidane's side needing a late Vinicius Jr. goal to snatch a 1-1 draw.
The last time these two teams met, an under-pressure Real Madrid pulled off a 2-0 win at home. Casemiro found the net, after which Dani Carvajal's strike cannoned off Jan Oblak's back and into the net to give Los Blancos the win.
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El derbi Madrileno is a thrilling occasion on its own, and with the added spice of this being a title decider, we can expect a titanic clash.
Here are the five players who could play a crucial role in the derby.
#1 Luis Suarez
Ever since Luis Suarez stepped onto Spanish shores in the 2014/15 La Liga season, no player has scored more goals against Real Madrid than him. 11 goals and 5 assists in 16 games is an exemplary record, although the Uruguayan is yet to breach the Madrid defence in a Rojiblanco shirt.
Suarez is using the 0-2 loss earlier in the season as motivation, saying:
"Playing against Real Madrid is a special thing. You really want to play in these games and show your ability. Everyone's watching and waiting to see what you can do. They're great games to play in. In our case, we've got the added incentive of trying to avenge our defeat early in the season. We want to show why we're top of the league."
Diego Simeone's side haven't scored against Real Madrid in 335 minutes, and Suarez is their best bet to end that drought. He will have an easier time of it in the absence of Sergio Ramos, and Raphael Varane and Nacho will have their hands full.
#2 Casemiro
For a club with the monetary might and stature of Real Madrid, it's particularly damning that their second-highest goal-scorer this season is their defensive midfielder. At the same time, it's revelatory of the quality their Brazilian lynchpin possesses, as Casemiro has notched up 5 goals this season.
One of those goals came in the reverse fixture against Atletico Madrid earlier this season. Casemiro glanced a header into the net after running into the box, and this is an avenue of scoring that Zidane has come to rely upon. However, it must be said that Real Madrid unsuccessfully attempted to do so against Real Sociedad in the previous game.
Defensively, Casemiro remains as dependable as ever. In the absence of Sergio Ramos, his protection will be all the more vital with Raphael Varane and Nacho looking shaky. Fede Valverde's return could also work in his favour by reducing a bit of the defensive responsibility.
#3 Joao Felix
Joao Felix's talents were there for all to see as Atletico Madrid began the season in stellar fashion. But his club has suffered a dip in form, and so has the Portuguese starlet.
Although Felix has lost his place in the starting lineup, the fire inside still burns brightly. As Atletico struggled to hold a 1-0 lead against Villarreal in their previous match, Joao Felix came on and changed the game. He got his reward in the 69th minute, hammering a volley into the bottom corner.
The celebration that followed spoke volumes, as the 21-year-old gestured angrily at the bench. Some may call it childish, or unprofessional, but it's the same desire that may serve to motivate the Portuguese forward against Real Madrid.
He's not scored in the 231 minutes he's played against Los Blancos. But Felix has been repeatedly proving his naysayers wrong this season, so one wouldn't bet against him breaking his duck.
#4 Karim Benzema
It's been no secret that Real Madrid have suffered in Karim Benzema's absence. Zinedine Zidane's almost hopeful plea that the French striker would be fit for this game following the draw against Real Sociedad shows how valued Benzema is.
Mariano Diaz and Isco have attempted to replace the 33-year-old, but they've been less than stellar in their efforts. Thus, the sight of Benzema training with his teammates in Valdebebas ahead of the game ought to please Madridistas.
Benzema doesn't have the best of records against Atletico statistically, as he has scored 5 and assisted 4 in 35 games against the Rojiblancos. However, he was fantastic in the reverse fixture earlier this season, stitching play together and forcing Jan Oblak into making world-class saves.
Even when Simeone has used a compact defence against Real Madrid, Benzema has always been able to hold the ball up and find teammates even in tight spaces. Zidane will be hoping his striker doesn't suffer any rustiness, as the result of this game could decide the title.
#5 Marcos Llorente
Kieran Trippier's 10-match ban in December impacted Atletico Madrid's season in more ways than one. Diego Simeone was forced to rejig a settled lineup, with Marcos Llorente forced to curb his attacking instincts as he played in a right wing-back role. It's no surprise that Atletico have gone off the boil ever since.
Llorente was one of, if not the best, the Rojiblanco players going into December and Trippier's return ought to be a welcome sight. The pair share an excellent understanding on the pitch, especially if Simeone returns to his tried-and-trusted 4-4-2 formation.
Ferland Mendy's tendency to go forward ought to play into Llorente's hands, especially if Trippier makes his return and offers protection. Real Madrid have suffered while tracking runners into the box this season - one of Llorente's biggest strengths - and the 26-year-old could capitalise.
There's the added incentive of being a former Real Madrid player. Having lost three out of four times while playing against his former club, Marcos Llorente will be hugely motivated to put the final nail in Real Madrid's title ambitions while strengthening his own team's charge.
