Real Madrid play at the Metropolitano on Sunday at 16:15 CEST, in La Liga matchday 7. They arrive two points ahead of Atlético Madrid, and neither club plays again before then, so that gap will still be two points at kick-off.

Real Madrid have 15 points from six league matches and Atlético have 13. Real Madrid have lost once, at Real Betis, and won the rest, including 4-1 against Rayo Vallecano and 3-2 at Elche on Tuesday. In between they beat Inter 2-1 in the Champions League. Atlético have also lost once, 3-0 at Athletic Club, and drawn at home to Villarreal.

That is the shape of the afternoon. A Real Madrid win moves them five clear of their neighbours. An Atlético win puts the hosts above them. A draw leaves the order exactly as it is.

Sevilla can move before the derby. Betis cannot

Both Madrid clubs sit behind Barcelona, who lead. Below that, very little is settled. Real Betis are level with Real Madrid on 15 points, and Sevilla are level with Atlético on 13. Sevilla play first, at home to Barcelona at 21:00 CEST on Saturday, so they can be above both Madrid clubs before the derby starts. Betis are not in action until Sunday evening, at Deportivo, after it has finished. Whatever the table looks like at 16:15, the two points between Real Madrid and Atlético will not have moved.

Mendy, Militão and Rodrygo are still working apart

Real Madrid's own account of Friday's session at Ciudad Real Madrid had Mendy, Militão and Rodrygo doing specific recovery work while the rest of the squad went through physical work, a tactical phase, possession exercises and small-sided games. The club has not given an availability verdict on any of the three. Previews have them down as unavailable: Sports Mole lists Militão with a muscle problem, Rodrygo with a knee injury and Mendy with a hip injury.

Atlético have Julián Álvarez back in training

Álvarez has not played since the Champions League defeat at Liverpool on 9 September. Atlético said he left a training session on 12 September with a muscular overload and did not travel to face Real Sociedad, and that tests had ruled out anything more serious. He missed Wednesday's 4-0 win over Osasuna as well.

Álvarez rejoined group training on Friday and should be available to Diego Simeone, beIN Sports reported, citing Marca, though whether he starts after two matches out is a separate question. The same report has Alexander Sørloth and Pablo Barrios training away from the group, with Sørloth carrying a soleus injury that has kept him out for more than a month.

Mourinho's press conference falls late

Real Madrid's schedule put Saturday's training session at 10:30 and José Mourinho's press conference at 15:30, live on Real Madrid TV. That is an unusually long gap between the two by his standards this season, and it leaves very little of Saturday between what he says and the team he names.

Kick-off is 16:15 CEST at the Metropolitano, shown in Spain on Orange TV and Dazn. Two points is one result, and this is the result that decides which of these two goes into the international break in front.