Atlético Madrid are set to face off against Real Madrid this Sunday at the Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano in the first Madrid derby of the season. Both teams are on fire right now, and with only one place separating them in the table, the pressure is on. What could be the deciding factor in this intense clash is Real Madrid’s growing injury list, which could have a huge impact on the outcome.
Real Madrid currently sit second in the La Liga standings, four points behind Barcelona, and are chasing an incredible 40-game unbeaten streak in the league. Atlético, right behind them in third place and just two points back, know that every point counts in the race for the top three. The stakes couldn't be higher for both sides as the season heats up.
Fans can expect a fierce, high-octane battle typical of the Madrid derby, with Diego Simeone’s disciplined and aggressive Atlético looking to disrupt Carlo Ancelotti’s tactically flexible Real Madrid. With so much on the line, this derby is shaping up to be a true test of character, grit, and skill - where the smallest details could make all the difference.
Atlético Madrid head into the highly anticipated Madrid derby with momentum on their side, fresh off a gritty 1-0 victory away to Celta Vigo. Los Rojiblancos displayed tremendous character in that match, with Julian Alvarez stepping up as the hero, netting a late winner that not only secured three crucial points but also provided a massive confidence boost ahead of Sunday’s showdown against their city rivals.
The Argentine forward is now pushing for a spot in the starting lineup, eager to make an impact in the derby. His compatriot Rodrigo de Paul is also in contention to start, adding even more firepower to Atlético's lineup. Despite these positive signs, Atlético will still be missing the experience of Cesar Azpilicueta and the young talent of Pablo Barrios, who remain sidelined due to injury.
With Alvarez hungry for more goals and de Paul adding strength to their midfield, Atlético will be looking to build on their recent win and capitalize on any weaknesses in Real Madrid’s squad. The stage is set for an electrifying derby, and Atlético will be keen to use their newfound confidence to deliver a statement performance in front of their home crowd.
ATLÉTICO MADRID predicted lineup vs REAL MADRID: Jan Oblak (GK), Robin Le Normand, Axel Witsel, Nahuel Molina Lucero, Reinildo Mandava, Koke, Conor Gallagher, Samuel Dias Lino, Marcos Llorente, Julián Álvarez, Alexander Sørloth.
Real Madrid enter the Madrid derby riding high after a thrilling 3-2 win over Alaves in their previous La Liga outing. Los Blancos are in unstoppable form, eyeing their sixth consecutive victory across all competitions. However, despite their winning momentum, boss Carlo Ancelotti faces significant squad challenges ahead of the big clash.
The headline news is the absence of star forward Kylian Mbappé, who suffered a thigh injury during the Alaves match. Mbappé’s goal helped secure the win, but his injury is a huge blow for Madrid. His absence leaves a gap in attack, and Ancelotti will have to shuffle his options. Young sensation Endrick could step in to fill the role up top, or we could see Jude Bellingham pushed into a more advanced position, with veteran Luka Modric slotting back into midfield to add creativity.
Real Madrid's injury woes don't stop there. Key players like Eduardo Camavinga (knee injury), David Alaba (cruciate ligament tear), Dani Ceballos (ankle sprain), and Brahim Díaz (hamstring) are all unavailable for selection. With so many important names sidelined, Ancelotti will have to dig deep into his squad to keep their winning streak alive.
Even with these setbacks, Real Madrid have shown resilience all season, and their ability to adapt under pressure will be tested once again in this high-stakes derby. It’s going to be a battle of tactical wit and squad depth, with everything on the line for Los Blancos as they look to maintain their winning form.
REAL MADRID predicted lineup vs ATLÉTICO MADRID: Thibaut Courtois (GK), Lucas Vázquez, Éder Militão, Antonio Rüdiger, Ferland Mendy, Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, Endrick, Vinícius Júnior.
The Madrid derby is never short on drama, and this upcoming clash promises to be no different. Brace yourselves for a high-stakes, action-packed battle where anything can happen on the pitch. The fierce rivalry between these two teams always delivers fireworks, and with both sides hungry for points, it’s shaping up to be an unmissable encounter.
The last La Liga meeting between Real Madrid and Atlético ended in a tense 1-1 draw. Real dominated possession with 54% and fired off 17 shots, though only 4 were on target. Meanwhile, Atletico proved just as dangerous, registering 10 shots with 5 hitting the mark. Both teams had their moments, but neither could find a decisive breakthrough.
Recent head-to-head clashes have been incredibly tight, with Atlético managing 5 draws in their last 6 meetings against their city rivals. These encounters tend to be gritty, tactical battles, often decided by the smallest of margins.
Given Real Madrid's growing injury concerns and the fact that Atlético will be playing at home with a nearly full-strength squad, we expect another closely contested affair. With both teams pushing for a result, a draw with goals from each side seems like a likely outcome.
The atmosphere at the Cívitas Metropolitano will be electric - and this derby could go down to the wire!
ATLÉTICO MADRID VS REAL MADRID
5.47
DRAW & BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
ATLÉTICO MADRID VS REAL MADRID
5.47
DRAW & BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
