The 43rd Super Cup kicking off on 15th of August between the two rivals from the same city, Madrid. The Champions League winners will face Europa League winners to kick off the season. Real Madrid have won all their last 4 fixtures in Super Cup and they would like to raise it to 5 straight wins. Both the teams will have a full strength squad to choose from as all the players who played in the World Cup have returned to their respective sides. Real Madrid will however have an absentee in the form if Luka Modric as he returned just a few days ago and is likely to miss this crucial encounter.
Real Madrid
Thiabaut Curtois is all set to make his debut for Real Madrid and it will be interesting to see how he fits in the squad. All the players have returned to Real but Luka Modric is yet to regain match fitness and therefore it is highly likely that he will miss this encounter or he may be introduced later. Raphael Varane started in the previous match, therefore he is likely to start in this match as well.
Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale will be the key players for Real Madrid as both of them have been in good touch lately. Karim Benzema scored in a pre season match against Milan and we all know his capabilities. Gareth Bale has been trending since that breathtaking overhead kick against Liverpool in the Champions League final and looks an excellent candidate to fill the void left by the departure of Ronaldo.
Real Madrid have won three consecutive matches defeating Roma, Juventus and Milan after facing a defeat at the hands of Manchester United. Gareth Bale has scored in all of the last three matches for Real Madrid.
Atletico Madrid
The new signing Thomas Lemar has played most of the pre season matches and is all set to start this match for Atletico. The three major players, Griezmann, Costa and Hernandez who featured in the World Cup have returned and played a few minutes in the last game to regain match fitness and they look all set to play in this crucial encounter.
The key players for Atletico in this match will be Antoinne Griezmann and Diego Costa. Griezmann is the most valuable player of Atletico and he has proved it time and again. He played a key role in France's World Cup triumph and will look to do the same for Atletico this season. Diego Costa returned to Atletico this past season and scored a few times as well. We all know the class of Costa and it is only a matter of time before he unleashes it.
Atletico have had horrific couple of weeks as they lost 4 of their five friendly fixtures and all their International Champions Cup matches. However the main reason for that is they had an under strength squad for those matches. Now that they are a full strength squad, everyone is expecting that they might push Real to the end.
Prediction
After the departure of Ronaldo, Real haven't lost it and they continue to play like champions and Bale has really stepped up. Atletico are a good side as well but not as good as Real. I am expecting a score of 3-1 in favour of Real Madrid.
Let me know your thoughts on this as well.
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