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Atletico Madrid welcome city rivals Real Madrid to the first edition of El Derbi at the Wanda Metropolitano tonight, with the game decidedly pivotal at even this early stage of the season.
The home side is on equal points as the visitors and they will have the chance to hang on to the coat-tails of Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
Here are 5 reasons why Los Blancos will triumph over the Rojiblancos:
#1 International duty will hamper Atletico more than Madrid
As much as professional footballers would love to deny it, the truth is that top-level players often return from an International break in need of a rest. With this international break also confirming the final spots for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Diego Simeone might have to jee up the stars who have missed out - such as Jan Oblak.
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In addition, the Rojiblancos will be quite concerned about Antoine Griezmann. Multiple news outlets in Spain have reported that he has already agreed a deal to join Barcelona next summer. Atletico's French talisman has his head turned and played both games for France, so his run of middling performances in La Liga is likely to continue.
In contrast, Zinedine Zidane has plenty of fresh faces, as Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo have both enjoyed a period of rest in this international break and ought to be raring to go.
#2 Real Madrid's injury nightmare is almost over
What has often gone overlooked amidst the criticism of Real Madrid's poor start to the season has been that more often than not, Zinedine Zidane has been unable to name his first-choice XI.
With the return of Dani Carvajal and Luka Modric to the fold, Zidane can pretty much field 9 of his first choice 11, with Gareth Bale and Keylor Navas still regrettably absent.
With plenty of returnees back into the fold, fresh legs could prove pivotal for Real Madrid as they face up to the high-pressing of Diego Simeone's side in the Madrid derby.
Carvajal's return, in particular, can be hugely important, as his ability to bomb down the wings and contribute in attack has been sorely missed - with Ronaldo heading stats having gone down in the Spanish fullback's absence. Zidane will finally have the choice to field his first-choice back four, but might miss the presence of Keylor Navas, who always turns up in the big moments of big games.
#3 Ronaldo loves this fixture
Say what you will about Cristiano Ronaldo, but it is only a fool who can completely dismiss the Portuguese superstar. He may be in a bad run of form - okay, the worst run of form he's had in a Madrid shirt, but the tremendously focussed forward has the script perfectly setup for a stunning return to form.
He's done it before, and with what the omens have in store, Ronaldo will score some more.
That bit of awful impromptu poetry aside, Cristiano truly loves the Madrid derby. He is the highest ever scorer in this fixture with 21 goals, and given the questions surround him, will be hungrier than ever to score.
The last time they met, Ronaldo hammered in a stunning hat-trick at the Calderon, and you would not bet against a repeat performance.
#4 Wanda Metropolitano is no Calderon
Atletico Madrid are experiencing what every club that moves stadiums does - the gleaming new testament to mammon is just a soulless structure of concrete, steel and glass. It takes, years, even decades to impart a stadium with soul - memories that make it feel like home.
The cauldron that was the Vicente Calderon played a big part in Atletico's successes against Real Madrid in the past, but while the Rojiblancos fans are a loud bunch, it will not have the same intimidation factor. Even if the home side score first, Real Madrid will still have hopes of a comeback.
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#5 Los Blancos will be the hungrier side
Derby matches are always isolationist in nature, what with phrases like 'form goes out of the window' being bandied about. However, what's gone unnoticed is the fixture list of these two sides. While Real Madrid are in a bit of a bother in their UEFA Champions League group, Atletico's situation is far worse - so they may have an eye on the midweek fixture to come.
However, even if both teams are focussed, it is Real Madrid who will be eyeing this match as pivotal, as their Liga ambitions are greater, with greater pressure on Zinedine Zidane's shoulders.
Atletico's poor form has been acknowledged but has gone a bit under the radar. Madrid meanwhile, have faced such a barrage of criticism that the players, who know what it takes to be champions, will be extremely hungry to put things right.
