Atletico visits Madrid on Saturday with a two-point lead after starting the season with six wins in as many games to sit in second place behind Barcelona on goal difference.
While manager Diego Simeone has Atletico rolling off one convincing win after another, Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said he was not satisfied with the way his team squeaked out a 2-1 win at promoted Elche on Wednesday.
"If we play like that we won't win the derby," Ancelotti said.
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CRISTIANO VS. COSTA
The Madrid derby will pit Madrid star forward Cristiano Ronaldo against Atletico's on-form Diego Costa.
The only Madrid player to rise above mediocrity in Wednesday's victory at Elche was Ronaldo, who scored both from a free kick and an injury-time penalty to snatch the win.
That gave Ronaldo nine goals in his last five games in the Spanish league and the Champions League.
Atletico signed David Villa to replace top-scorer Radamel Falcao this summer, but Diego Costa is proving to be its biggest threat in attack. The Brazilian is joint-leading scorer in the Spanish league with seven goals along with Messi.
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BALE DEBUT, TAKE TWO
Gareth Bale will get his second chance on Saturday to debut at home in front of his new Madrid supporters.
Bale, who played two away games for Madrid following his record 100 million euros ($132 million) transfer, was set to make his home debut last weekend before straining his left thigh while warming up.
The Wales winger missed the midweek fixture at Elche, but Ancelotti said this week that he thinks Bale will be fit for the Spanish capital derby against Atletico, a team known for its physical play.
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MESSI IN COURT
A day before Barcelona visits Almeria, Messi and father Jorge Horacio are set to appear before a judge on Friday to answer questions in a tax fraud case.
A complaint filed by a Spanish state prosecutor in June said Messi and his father tried to conceal earnings and the Argentina international owed 4 million euros ($5.3 million) in back taxes to Spain's tax office.
Messi's father made a payment of more than 5 million euros ($6.6 million) on Aug. 14 to cover alleged taxes outstanding plus interest.
Messi and his father were originally ordered to appear at the court near his home outside of Barcelona on Sept. 17, but the date was pushed back.
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NEYMAR FITTING IN
When Barcelona paid Santos 57 million euros in June to acquire Neymar, there was no doubt regarding his ability to score and awe both fans and opponents with his speed and dribbling.
But there were concerns about his ability to gel with Barcelona's passing attack focused on helping Messi score.
It appears that those worries were completely unwarranted.
Neymar has scored two goals but has clearly made an extra effort to think pass first, shoot second, and most of his passes are heading Messi's way.
The Brazil striker has set up Messi for five goals in his last five games. And with promoted Almeria up next, the two will likely have more than one opportunity to link up again this round.
