<p>Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said that city rivals Atletico Madrid should be classed as title favourites this season ahead of their La Liga meeting on Saturday.</p>.<p>Table-toppers Atletico remain the league's only unbeaten side after 10 games with 26 points from a possible 30.</p>.<p>Heading into the derby they sit six points ahead of fourth-placed Real having played a game fewer, and Zidane conceded that their start to the campaign means it is Diego Simeone's side who should be considered the team to beat this term.</p>.<p>"Yes, definitely, they should (be considered title favourites)," Zidane told a news conference.</p>.<p>"That's what they're showing on the pitch. They top of the table and they've always been a competitive outfit in that sense. We know them well.</p>.<p>"We want to win every game and especially this one as it's a big game. We won the league last year and we want to defend our crown, and we'll do that until the end."</p>.<p>The Frenchman sang the praises of Atletico's in-form midfielder Marcos Llorente.</p>.<p>The 25-year-old came through the youth setup at Madrid before joining their city rivals in 2019.</p>.<p>"He's not surprising me with his performances," Zidane said.</p>.<p>"Llorente is a top-class player and he's showing another facet of his game right now that he didn't have when at Real Madrid. We always knew he was a quality player and I'm pleased to see him doing well."</p>.<p>Zidane, who welcomed back captain Sergio Ramos in Wednesday's Champions League victory over Borussia Moenchengladbach, said that midfielder Federico Valverde and fullback Dani Carvajal will also be in contention for a return to the starting team.</p>.<p>The champions will, however, be without attacking trio Eden Hazard, Luka Jovic and Mariano Diaz as well as midfielder Martin Odegaard.</p>
<p>Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said that city rivals Atletico Madrid should be classed as title favourites this season ahead of their La Liga meeting on Saturday.</p>.<p>Table-toppers Atletico remain the league's only unbeaten side after 10 games with 26 points from a possible 30.</p>.<p>Heading into the derby they sit six points ahead of fourth-placed Real having played a game fewer, and Zidane conceded that their start to the campaign means it is Diego Simeone's side who should be considered the team to beat this term.</p>.<p>"Yes, definitely, they should (be considered title favourites)," Zidane told a news conference.</p>.<p>"That's what they're showing on the pitch. They top of the table and they've always been a competitive outfit in that sense. We know them well.</p>.<p>"We want to win every game and especially this one as it's a big game. We won the league last year and we want to defend our crown, and we'll do that until the end."</p>.<p>The Frenchman sang the praises of Atletico's in-form midfielder Marcos Llorente.</p>.<p>The 25-year-old came through the youth setup at Madrid before joining their city rivals in 2019.</p>.<p>"He's not surprising me with his performances," Zidane said.</p>.<p>"Llorente is a top-class player and he's showing another facet of his game right now that he didn't have when at Real Madrid. We always knew he was a quality player and I'm pleased to see him doing well."</p>.<p>Zidane, who welcomed back captain Sergio Ramos in Wednesday's Champions League victory over Borussia Moenchengladbach, said that midfielder Federico Valverde and fullback Dani Carvajal will also be in contention for a return to the starting team.</p>.<p>The champions will, however, be without attacking trio Eden Hazard, Luka Jovic and Mariano Diaz as well as midfielder Martin Odegaard.</p>