Mbappé on a scoring run before visiting Atletico in capital derby

BARCELONA, Spain:

Only six weeks into La Liga and Atletico Madrid already face what seems to be a must-win derby when they host Real Madrid on Saturday.

Despite revamping a significant part of the squad this summer, Atletico are off to their worst start -- two wins in six matches -- since coach Diego Simeone took over more than a decade ago. They take on their top rivals well behind in the standings: Real Madrid lead the league and Atletico Madrid are eighth, nine points adrift.

Madrid are the only team to have won all six rounds. That run has been fuelled by the prolific Kylian Mbappe.

The France striker has seven goals, three more than the next best scorer, and has failed to find the net only in one game. He scored twice on Tuesday, a 4-1 victory over Levante.

Atletico's poor form comes after a busy summer in which they bought the likes of Villarreal playmaker Alex Baena, United States midfielder Johnny Cardoso, and defenders David Hancko and Matteo Ruggeri. Injuries to Baena and Cardoso, among others, have not helped Simeone.

It will be Xabi Alonso's first Spanish capital derby as Madrid's coach after he spent 2009-14 playing for the club.

Second-placed Barcelona host Real Sociedad on Sunday, a day after third-placed Villarreal welcome Athletic Bilbao. Fourth-placed Espanyol visit Girona, who are winless at the bottom of the table, on Friday.

Atletico's fortunes may hinge on Argentina forward Julian Alvarez, who is coming off a hat-trick to help beat Rayo Vallecano 3-2 on Wednesday. That was his first treble since moving to Europe in 2022.

Madrid's Vinicius Junior will be in the spotlight both for the reactions of Atletico's fans, some of whom have subjected him to among the worst racial abuse he has experienced, and because of speculation regarding his long-term future with the club.

Once a set starter under former coach Carlo Ancelotti, Vinicius has seen his playing time reduced by Alonso. That comes amid media reports that his talks with Madrid about renewing his contract, set to expire in June 2027, have broken down.

Atletico will also recover striker Alexander Sorloth, who often plays as a substitute, after his one-game suspension.

Madrid will be without injured defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger and Ferland Mendy.

Atletico will likely be without midfielder Thiago Almada and defender Jose Maria Gimenez due to injuries. Cardoso has missed three games with an ankle problem.

- AP