Real Madrid can turn their derby fortunes around and get revenge on bogey team Atletico, claims former star Julio Baptista ahead of huge La Liga clash

Real Madrid and Atletico will meet in El Derbi for the fourth time this season on Sunday, in what could be a crucial match in the scope of La Liga season. But it could be a dangerous one for Carlo Ancelotti's side, who have lost two of three to Diego Simeone's men. Atletico inflicted Real's only league defeat of the campaign back in September and followed it up by knocking Jude Bellingham and Co out of the Copa del Rey last month. Los Blancos did, however, win their Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Atleti before beating bitter rivals Barcelona to lift the trophy.

In an interview with GOAL ahead of La Liga's ElPartidazo watch party in Chicago, Baptista weighed in on the atmosphere around the crucial fixture: "In this case, I think that Real Madrid has a slight advantage, because they've managed to have a little bit more rest... I think that before the Copa del Rey match, Real Madrid were a little more tired than usual. So in my opinion, I think that Real Madrid has a slight advantage for Sunday. But we all know that Atletico has got a great team, a great coach, and they're a very strong team."

Asked what he expects the score to be this weekend, the former Brazil star predicted a 2-1 victory for Ancelotti's league leaders.

Baptista is set to host one of La Liga's fan-focused watch parties on Sunday. The US-based branch of Spain's top flight has previously held events in Miami, Los Angeles and New York, where a handful of former La Liga greats have appeared.

Los Blancos will face their city rivals on Sunday as they look to maintain - or even extend - their lead at the top of the table. After that, Ancelotti's men host second-placed Girona, who take on Real Sociedad this weekend, at the Santiago Bernabeu in what is likely to be a pivotal game in the race for the title.