Karim Benzema and Fernando Torres start the Madrid derby for Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid respectively.

Benzema missed last week’s 1-1 draw at Malaga but is back fit and returns for Zinedine Zidane at the first opportunity.

Raphael Varane gets the nod as well, part of an uneven defence that sees Danilo deputise at left-back for Marcelo.

Dani Carvajal is at right-back with Varane and Sergio Ramos in the centre and Danilo completing the unit in front of Keylor Navas.

Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Isco form Madrid’s midfield three with no place for Mateo Kovacic and James Rodriguez steps in for Jese in attack, joining Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Borja Mayoral, the 18-year-old touted for a starting place if Benzema wasn’t ready, is on the bench.

Jan Oblak continues in goal for Los Colchoneros but there’s a new face in defence as Jose Gimenez comes in for the injured Stefan Savic.

Gimenez partners Diego Godin with Juanfran and Filipe Luis remaining on the flanks.

Gabi, Koke and Saul Niguez keep their places in midfield but Augusto Fernandez returns after injury, Oliver Torres dropping out.

Antoine Griezmann is partnered in attack by El Nino as Diego Simeone looks to cure his side’s recent problems finding the net.

Real Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Danilo; Kroos, Modric, Isco; James, Benzema, Ronaldo

Subs: Casilla, Nacho, Casemiro, Kovacic, Lucas Vazquez, Jese, Borja Mayoral

Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Gimenez, Filipe; Koke, Gabi, Augusto, Saul; Griezmann, Torres

Subs: Moya, Gamez, Lucas, Oliver, Kranevitter, Correa, Vietto

Referee: Clos Gomez

La Liga - Club News