Atletico Madrid has been haunted by Real Madrid in recent Champions League encounters, losing finals in 2014 and 2016, and a semifinal in 2017. Now, the two Madrid giants face off again early in the competition, in the round of 16. The match will take place at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday evening at 22:00 CET.
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid – match preview and betting suggestions
Real Madrid comes into this clash off a disappointing 1-2 loss to Betis, which saw them lose the top spot in La Liga. With Barcelona, Atletico, and Real all battling for the title, it’s a tightly contested race. Atletico, on the other hand, has been on an impressive unbeaten streak, with 10 consecutive games without a loss in all competitions. From November to January, Atletico managed 15 wins in a row.
Real Madrid has been a nightmare for Atletico in the Champions League under Diego Simeone. In the last 11 years, Atletico reached the semifinals three times, only to be stopped by Real Madrid each time. Atletico lost in the finals in 2014 and 2016, and again in the semifinals in 2017. Despite their consistent runs, Atletico has never won the Champions League and has lost three finals.
On the other hand, Real Madrid is the most successful team in the competition’s history with 15 titles, the most recent coming last season after defeating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the final.
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid – Head to Head :
The last five meetings between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have ended in draws after 90 minutes. Both of their La Liga meetings this season ended in 1-1 draws. In the last nine encounters between the two sides, both teams have scored (GG).
Real Madrid’s recent 1-2 defeat to Betis has seen them drop to 3rd place in La Liga, trailing behind Atletico and Barcelona. In the Champions League, Ancelotti’s men had to go through the playoffs to reach the round of 16, but they emerged victorious over Manchester City (6-3 on aggregate).
Injury Updates
Real Madrid has significant issues in midfield ahead of this derby. Jude Bellingham is suspended due to yellow card accumulation, while Fede Valverde and Dani Ceballos have muscular problems and will not play. This could force David Alaba into the central defense and move Tchouameni into midfield. Other absentees for the Blancos include Carvajal, Militao, and Vallejo.
On the Atletico side, they have been solid in La Liga, beating Bilbao 1-0. However, they are without Koke and Azpilicueta due to injuries. Atletico is expected to make at least two changes to their starting lineup, with Julian Alvarez coming in up front and Marcos Llorente playing on the right flank.
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid – Betting Suggestions
- Full-Time Result: Given the recent form of both teams, a draw (X) after 90 minutes could be a safe bet, as the last five encounters between these two sides have ended in draws.
- Both Teams to Score (BTTS): Given that both teams have scored in the last nine encounters, this seems a promising option.
- Under/Over 2.5 Goals: The matches between these two teams tend to be tight and defensive, so betting on Under 2.5 goals might be worth considering.
- Anytime Goalscorer: With injuries impacting Real Madrid’s midfield, VinĂcius JĂşnior could play a crucial role in creating chances. For Atletico, Antoine Griezmann is always a threat.
- First Half Result: Given the tactical nature of this fixture, Draw at Half-Time could be a value bet.
Historical Statistics
- Real Madrid leads the head-to-head with 91 wins out of 175 meetings.
- Atletico has won 41 times, with 44 games ending in draws.
Last Meeting
The most recent meeting, just under a month ago, ended 1-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu in La Liga. Julian Alvarez scored first for Atletico, but Kylian Mbappe equalized after the break.
