Griezmann v Ronaldo, Simeone v Zidane: Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid talking points

Here's a look at five of the key talking points ahead of the Madrid derby...

Two of the world's best talents go up against one another for the first time since this summer's Euro 2016 final. Even though Cristiano Ronaldo missed much of that game after suffering an early injury, Portugal came out on top against host nation France as Antoine Griezmann failed to replicate his blistering tournament form in the final.

But following his country's heartbreak, Griezmann has bounced back this season, scoring eight goals in all competitions for Atletico. Ronaldo, on the other hand, has struggled somewhat to find his top form after returning from his injury.

Despite that, he still has seven goals in 12 games so far, although three of them came in one match. Saturday's historic derby will provide the platform for both Ballon d'Or nominees to display their cases to prove who is the world's best.

Having fractured his metatarsal against Leganes before the international break, Toni Kroos will be a key man missing in Real's midfield and that could play to Atletico's advantage on Saturday.

The Germany international has provided six assists to help his side maintain an unbeaten start to their LaLiga campaign but, after picking up the injury, Kroos subsequently sat out his country's World Cup qualifier against San Marino and friendly against Italy and could possibly miss 'El Clasico' against Barcelona on December 3.

Kroos has become an integral part of the Real side since joining in 2014 and, with fellow holding midfielder Casemiro also out injured, Atletico will be looking to claim dominance in that area of the pitch.

While Real have held the upper hand in European meetings between the two in recent years, Atletico have wrestled domestic supremacy away from their arch-rivals with three successive league wins at the Bernabeu and a 4-0 mauling at the Vicente Calderon last year.

One of those Bernabeu victories was against Zidane, who suffered defeat in his first Madrid derby as coach back in February. Simeone has used defensive stability and counter-attacking efficiency to overcome their neighbours but Zidane's men have showcased their ability to sit deep and hit on the break this campaign.

With Kroos out injured, Real may be forced into a defensive shell in the early stages of the contest but Zidane will hope that the return Karim Benzema, alongside Gareth Bale and Ronaldo, can earn Real their first league win against Atletico since 2013.

Ronaldo can boast a sensational record against Atletico during his time at Real, scoring 15 goals and providing eight assists in 25 competitive games.

However, those statistics have not resulted in any league victories over the past few years as Atletico have neutralised the threat of Real's other key players. Atletico have only conceded eight goals and have kept five clean sheets in 11 LaLiga games this season and Ronaldo has not scored at the Calderon in five games.

After an injury-hit summer, the Portuguese talisman will need recapture his top form and produce a match-winning performance if Real are to break the hearts of their crosstown rivals in their last league derby at the Vicente Calderon.

The news that David Fernandez Borbalan will referee the Madrid derby may not go down well with Real fans.

The Andalucian official has sent off eight Real players in 37 matches, including the dismissal of Modric against Atletico in 2014. Borbalan will need stamp his authority on what is likely to be another feisty encounter as the game could be pivotal to both clubs' title aspirations this season.