Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid - Combined XI

Real Madrid host Atletico Madrid in the El Derbi madrileno later tonight in a battle that will surely go on to be an epic encounter. Real are currently 3rd in the La Liga table, 1 point behind crosstown rivals Atletico, who are 2nd, 8 points adrift of top of the table Barcelona. The Los Blancos’ record against their neighbours hasn't been great off late, and they will be looking to reverse that trend by getting a much-needed win as it would see them leapfrog the Rojiblancos into 2nd spot. The team that we have chosen here has the perfect combination from both teams and a few big names miss out, especially from the Real Madrid team. Here's a combined XI from both teams that will line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with 7 members from the Atletico Madrid side and 4 from Real Madrid:(Note – Only the players available for selection have been chosen based on their form)

#1 Goalkeeper

Goalkeeper – Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid)

Though Keylor Navas has been in great form for Real Madrid, the selection of the goalkeeper here is a no-brainer, and Jan Oblak takes the spot. The Slovenian international has been sensational for Atletico this season and nails down the goalkeeping spot in our team.

Oblak has played all 25 matches, and has made 47 saves, keeping 16 clean sheets in the process. He is a big reason why the 2013-14 La Liga champions have the best defensive record in the league, having conceded only 11 goals so far.

Jan Oblak has shown that he has great handling skills, and organises his defence very well. The fact that Atletico Madrid are a team who focus on keeping it tight at the back helps him a great deal, while his shot-stopping abilities have come very handy as well.

#2 Defence

The central defensive positions are taken by Diego Godin and Raphael Varane. Both Godin and Varane have been in great form and are pivotal to their team's defensivee schemes. The Uruguayan's positioning and crucial interceptions have helped Atletico keep it tight at the back while Varan's ability to recover and scintillating pace are great assets to have in a team that is full of attacking players.

In the absence of Marcelo, who has been ruled out due to an injury, Filipe Luis will be the left-back of the team, and the Brazilian has shown this season that he is on the road to becoming the player he was 2 years ago and that he has recovered from his terrible spell at Chelsea.

The right-back position is a tough selection with both Dani Carvajal and Juanfran having played well so far this season. However, since one player has to be chosen, we pick Juanfran over Carvajal, predominantly due to his better defensive work rate and that in a defence with two other Atletico Madrid players, the current Spanish right-back would be right at home and will provide the team with good solidity.

Defence – Luis-Varane-Godin-Juanfran

#3 Midfield

The midfield here has a good combination of skill and graft and contains player who can pass the ball well, and also track back to help out the defence. Anchoring the midfield will be Atletico Madrid's captain Gabi, who might not be the force he was before, but still performs his role to great effect. He breaks up play very well and helps keep possession of the ball, circulating it nicely between defence and attack.

Ahead of him, we pick two ball players, who will be creating chances for the forwards. Gabi's teammate Koke, will line up on the left of the midfield trio. He will link up well with Filipe Luis on the left side, and will look to exchange passes with the forward line to make late bursts into the box. His setpiece skills will also help the team.

On the right of midfield, Real Madrid's Luka Modric will look to move in between lines, keep the ball moving from side to side, and try and unleash the killer through ball for his forwards.

Another advantage with this midfield is that all three of them can take shots from outside the box and so provide an extra threat to their teams.

Midfield – Gabi-Koke-Modric

#4 Attack

The forward line consists of Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema and they will be joined there by Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann. Ronaldo will take his favoured spot on the left of the forward trio, looking to cut in whenever given a chance and use his pace and directness to maximum effect.

Karim Benzema will be the pivot up top, linking up with both Ronaldo and Griezmann and will provide a good option for the full-backs to put crosses inside the box. What also helps is that Benzema is very unselfish and will make runs to divert the defence, so that the others can get better chances to score.

Griezmann has been Atletico Madrid's best player this season, and has scored 12 goals and provided 2 assists for his team so far. What makes his efforts even more admirable is the fact that the entire team have only scored 35 goals, making him a pivotal figure in order for them to get results.

Attack – Ronaldo-Benzema-Griezmann

The overall team will lineup like this:

The team contains 7 Atletico Madrid players