On Saturday afternoon, LaLiga leaders Real Madrid travel across the Spanish capital to take on city rivals Atletico in El Derbi Madrileno.
With respect to the other six teams that have already played and lost against Xabi Alonso's side, this game is arguably the first significant test for Los Blancos, even taking into account that Atleti haven't had the best start to the 2025/26 league campaign.
Perfect start for Real Madrid
Real sit top of the table with a perfect record of 18 points won from 18 available, whilst their hosts are down in ninth despite only losing one league game this season.
With only three goals conceded in the league and 14 scored, the visitors to the Estadio Metropolitano appear to have already hit the sweet spot in both defence and attack, and to that end are likely to take some stopping.
However, Atleti are unbeaten in the last five derbies that have taken place in the Spanish top-flight, four of which have been 1-1 draws. In fact, not since September 2022 have Real won a league derby.
During that period, Diego Simeone's side have outscored Real by seven goals to five, and in all competitions they've only tasted defeat at home to Real twice in the last 11 games stretching back to the 2017/18 campaign.
Interestingly, Los Blancos had a streak of eight consecutive away wins over Atleti between January 2008 and February 2014, but since then have managed just three wins from 17 across all competitions (L7, D7).
Intensity on the pitch and in the stands
As ever, Simeone will ensure that his side are the most intense of opponents, and that will be replicated in the stands with the atmosphere expected to be at fever pitch.
With one day less rest than their opponents, thanks to their Wednesday night fixture against Rayo Vallecano, Atleti may well consider themselves at a disadvantage before a ball has even been kicked, so they will need some energy from the crowd on the night.
That match was arguably a little more difficult than Simeone would've liked, and it took two late goals from Julian Alvarez to finally see off the threat of their opponents.
What it did highlight once again is that Atleti are stumbling along in 25/26.
It's true that they've only lost one league game so far, drawing three and winning two, but they have conceded seven and only scored nine in those matches, so a clear improvement both up front and at the back is required.
Alvarez is likely to be instrumental for his team again in the derby, and no one from either side is likely to forget his astonishing finish in the Champions League fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu last season in a hurry.
Real's defence still depleted
Simeone doesn't really have too many injury concerns ahead of the match, with only Thiago Almada and Jose Maria Gimenez definitely out for Los Rojiblancos at this point.
By contrast, Alonso is still without three-quarters of his back line.
Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all sidelined, though in their absence, Dean Huijsen in particular has emerged as a sensational prospect, whilst Dani Carvajal and Alvaro Carreras have been imperious as the wing-backs.
Indeed, were Real's brilliant start to the season continue, there's every reason to think that Alonso isn't going to be minded to change a winning team. Why would he?!
Bellingham and Camavinga vying for a start
With Jude Bellingham now recovered from his own period out through injury, this is precisely the type of fixture that the England international enjoys, and given what he brings to Madrid's midfield and attack, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him start this one.
Eduardo Camavinga also made a comeback at Levante, and he will almost certainly be pushing for a starting spot too.
After Vini Jr. was dropped for the fixture against Espanyol, tongues began to wag, but a goalscoring return in the midweek fixture against should see the Brazilian retain his place alongside Kylian Mbappe.
Real do have more options up front, of course, with Rodrygo, Arda Guler, Brahim Diaz, Gonzalo Garcia, and Endrick all vying for a place, which can only be good for squad rotation and to keep every player on their toes.
If there's one thing that Alonso has shown in the short time he's been in the Santiago Bernabeu hot-seat, being a bigger name won't guarantee you a start if you're not playing well.
Two Madrid-based officials could cause issues
From an officiating point of view, LaLiga's best referee from last season, Alberola Rojas, will take charge of his third Madrid derby, whilst in a break from tradition, which has left more questions than answers, two Madrid-born officials have been assigned to the VAR control room: Carlos del Cerro Grande (VAR) and Valentin Pizarro Gomez (AVAR).
Any contentious decisions that require the invocation of VAR may therefore be over-scrutinised, particularly if it has a marked impact on the outcome of the game.
What is sure to occur is that no quarter will be asked or given by either side, and if Atleti can again stop their rivals in their tracks, the biggest winners of the weekend could actually be Barcelona.
