All eyes on in-form Jude Bellingham ahead of Madrid derby

Since returning from the international break, Atletico Madrid have struggled

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring | AFP

Jude Bellingham has surpassed all expectations since arriving at Real Madrid by scoring big goal after big goal to keep his team with a perfect six wins across all competitions.

Bellingham has scored in all but one of his games for Real Madrid. The 20-year-old England midfielder will now face his first derby on Sunday at Atletico Madrid in the Spanish league when the hosts will aim to stop him from increasing his tally of six goals in as many games.

Bellingham has shown a knack for being where he needs to be to snatch last-gasp winners. He was there to turn in a rebound and secure a 1-0 win over Union Berlin in their Champions League opener on Wednesday, after having scored a similar goal against Getafe in the Spanish league earlier this month.

For Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, Bellingham has talent and it looks like he's lucky with the ball bouncing his way.

This goal is similar to the one against Getafe, but you have to be there, Ancelotti said about his new star's goal against Berlin. He's smarter than others when attacking from the second line. He has this quality and he's making the most of it.

The Los Blancos tops the Spanish league with a two-point lead over Barcelona and Girona. Athletic Bilbao is fourth at five points adrift.

Atletico is already eight points back in seventh place and is wary of top rivals from opening up a lead that would be hard to close.

Diego Simeone's team was flying high after dealing Rayo Vallecano a 7-0 defeat on the road last month. But since returning from the international break, Atletico has slumped to a 3-0 loss at Valencia and drew 1-1 at Lazio in its Champions League opener after the opposing goalkeeper equalized with a stoppage-time header.

Atletico is hoping forward Memphis Depay and midfielder Koke will be back from injury in time for the game. Pablo Barrios, its scorer against Lazio, is injured and will miss the game at the Metropolitano Stadium.

Real Madrid will likely still be without winger Vinicius Junior, who is recovering from a muscle injury. Defender Eder Milito and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois are out with long-term leg injuries.                                                

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