Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, left, reacts as Espanyol's goalkeeper Joan Garcia, centre and Urko Gonzalez celebrate Carlos Romero's opening goal during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Espanyol and Real Madrid at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday Feb.1, 2025. Credit: AP/Joan Monfort

Despite sitting top of LaLiga, reigning champions Real Madrid may feel like they have a lot to prove when they host Atletico Madrid on Saturday with their in-form city rivals eager to seize the momentum in the title race and leapfrog them in the table.

Atlético Madrid have mocked Real Madrid in a social media post ahead of Saturday's Madrid derby in response to Real's pressure tactics directed at officials.

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are set to lock horns in a top of the table Madrid derby on Saturday, February 8. Los Blancos are leading the title race with 49

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid meet in their second derby of the season with the Liga lead on the line and the focus on refereeing. Real Madrid has spent the days ahead of Saturday's match complaining of mistakes against the club.