Preview: Atletico Madrid vs. Real Madrid

Real Madrid head into this weekend's derby clash with Atletico Madrid knowing that defeat to their city rivals could hand Barcelona the La Liga title.

There's more than just bragging rights at stake for the hosts too, with a win moving them level on points with their second-placed opponents.

Jose Mourinho's side have a 4-1 Champions League defeat at the hands of Borussia Dortmund to recover from, so the Portuguese boss could rest some of his key players ahead of the second leg.

The likes of Xabi Alonso, Mesut Ozil and Cristiano Ronaldo may not play the full 90 minutes so that they will be fresh to help Real attempt an unlikely comeback against the Germans.

Atletico were recently boosted by the news that striker Diego Costa will no longer have to serve a suspension after having the yellow card he picked up last weekend overturned.

Real came out on top when the two sides last met in the league, with Ronaldo and Ozil on target during a 2-0 win.

Recent form

Real: WWLWWL

Atletico: LWDDWW

Possible lineups

Real: Lopez; Nacho, Carvalho, Albiol, Marcelo; Modric, Ozil, Casemiro; Ronaldo, Benzema, Callejon

Atletico: Courtois; Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Luis; Gabi, Suarez, Koke; Rodriguez, Falcao, Costa

Sports Mole says: 1-1