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By the time the season’s third Derbi Madrileño rolls around, Real Madrid could find themselves seven points behind league leaders Barcelona. The Catalans will be looking to claim their fifth consecutive triumph in La Liga when they host mid-table Rayo Vallecano in Sunday’s lunchtime kick-off.
Following disappointing defeats to Osasuna and Getafe, Real Madrid appear to have recovered their domestic form. A hard-fought victory over Celta Vigo at the Estadio de Balaídos preceded last weekend’s 4-1 thrashing of Elche on home soil, enabling them to hang onto Barça’s coattails at the summit. It’s also worth noting that Los Blancos have won a staggering 12 of their 14 league fixtures at the Bernabéu this season, conceding just ten goals in the process.
Despite being beaten in north London on Wednesday night, Atletico Madrid make the short trip across the Spanish capital in confident spirits. In addition to thumping five past Sunday’s opponents at the Metropolitano last September, Los Colchoneros have registered four consecutive league victories since last month’s sobering loss to Vallecano.
However, they must secure maximum points at the Bernabéu if they are to maintain any realistic hopes of clinching a 12th Spanish league title, given the scale of the gap between third-placed Atleti and the defending champions. A cursory glance at their recent away form tells us they may struggle to achieve this objective – Diego Simeone's men have only accumulated 17 points on the road all season, winning just four of their 13 matches at opposing venues.
UK viewers can watch Sunday night’s crucial derby on Premier Sports, provided they are subscribers to this platform. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 (BST).
Real Madrid v Atlético Madrid: Key info
Date: Sunday, 22nd March
Kick-off time: 20:00 (BST)
Venue: Bernabéu, Madrid
Referee: TBC
VAR: TBC
TV Channels/live stream: Premier Sports 1
Odds: Real Madrid: 19/20, Draw: 3/1, Atlético Madrid: 5/2
Odds provided by bet365
Real Madrid team news
Álvaro Arbeloa has seen his squad become decimated by injury in recent weeks, but several first-team stars are on the cusp of making a welcome return to action.
After not appearing in any of Real Madrid’s previous five fixtures, Kylian Mbappé got approximately 20 minutes of game time under his belt against Manchester City. La Liga’s current top scorer has been struggling with a persistent knee problem, but seems to have escaped any long-term serious damage. Wednesday night came a little too soon for the recovering Jude Bellingham, but the Englishman may be fit enough to play some sort of role against Atlético.
However, Thibaut Courtois will be missing for approximately six weeks. The in-form Belgian stopper pulled his quadricep at the Etihad, resulting in him being withdrawn at the interval. Therefore, Andriy Lunin is poised to make his first start since January’s shock 3-2 loss to second-tier Albacete.
With no less than five defenders currently carrying knocks or more serious injuries, Arbeloa is short of options at the back.
Éder Militão and Ferland Mendy are both sidelined with hamstring issues, while the versatile David Alaba is still nursing a hamstring strain. Although he’s lately been through the wars, Raúl Asencio is expected to be available for selection. The Canary Islander was involved in a nasty collision with teammate Eduardo Camavinga during Real Madrid’s narrow win over Benfica at the Estádio da Luz, before feeling discomfort in his calf last week. Álvaro Carreras featured as an unused substitute in midweek, so could be recalled to the starting line-up this weekend.
Meanwhile, there have been no further updates on the condition of experienced midfielder Dani Ceballos, who has been missing since last month’s 2-1 defeat to Osasuna.
Real Madrid predicted line-up v Manchester City (4-3-3)
Coach: Álvaro Arbeloa
Andriy Lunin (GK); Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rüdiger, Dean Huijsen, Fran García; Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga; Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé, Arda Güler
Atlético Madrid team news
As Jan Oblak remains out with a muscle issue, Juan Musso will continue to deputise between the sticks. The Argentinian goalkeeper conceded three goals at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in midweek, but kept a clean sheet against Getafe for the second time this season last Saturday afternoon.
Just over a month after joining Atlético Madrid from Elche during the winter window, Rodrigo Mendoza sprained his ankle while challenging Real Sociedad’s Ander Barrenetxea. Consequently, the Spanish Under-21 international is set for a month-long stint on the treatment table. Fellow midfielder Pablo Barrios is also unavailable, thanks to a thigh injury he picked up in a routine training session. The Madrid-born youngster had only just returned to the fold after sustaining a minor tear in his hamstring at the end of January.
Having ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during October’s friendly meeting with Inter Milan in Libya, Greek defender Ilias Kostis won’t be back until next season.
Aware of the importance of ball retention amidst the intimidating atmosphere of the Bernabéu, Diego Simeone may turn to Koke to anchor Atléti’s midfield. The veteran maestro has made 44 appearances against Real Madrid throughout his legendary career, but only ended up on the winning side on 13 occasions.
Atlético Madrid predicted line-up v Real Madrid (4-4-2)
Coach: Diego Simeone
Juan Musso (GK); Marc Pubill, Robin Le Normand, Dávid Hancko, Matteo Ruggeri; Giuliano Simeone, Marcos Llorente, Koke, Nicolás González; Julián Alvarez, Antoine Griezmann
Where to watch on TV or live stream
The Premier Sports cameras will be at the Bernabéu this weekend, enabling audiences in the United Kingdom to tune into this crucial contest. Ahead of their coverage of the Madrid derby, Premier Sports are screening three other Spanish top-flight encounters earlier in the day. Barcelona’s clash with Rayo Vallecano, Real Betis’ visit to the San Mamés, and the meeting between Alavés and Celta Vigo in Galicia will also be shown live on Premier Sports 1.
Alongside Disney+ and LaLiga TV, Premier Sports is one of three platforms that broadcast Spanish top-flight action in the UK. Although Disney+ is only licensed to screen one Spanish top-flight fixture on a Saturday evening, there are numerous matches available throughout the season on the other two networks.
Head-to-head record
Madrid’s sworn enemies have already faced each other twice this season, with both teams registering one win apiece. Atleti won 5-2 when they last met in the league, but Real got their revenge thanks to a slender Spanish Super Cup triumph at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
If Los Rojiblancos can once again emerge triumphant on Sunday, it’ll only be the fifth time they’ve managed to complete the league double over their local adversaries, after achieving this feat in the 1940/41, 1942/43, 1950/51, and 2014/15 campaigns.
Although Real Madrid have failed to win in any of their last six league outings against Atlético, the omens certainly favour the hosts. Los Blancos have never gone seven consecutive Madrid derbies without registering a victory, while Atléti are looking for a first win at the Bernabéu in thirteen matches.
Real Madrid v Atlético Madrid: Match result odds
The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change. All odds provided by bet365.