Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid

Estadio Santiago Bernabeu forms the backdrop for the 232nd competitive edition of ‘El Derbi Madrileño’ between reigning La Liga champions Real Madrid and perennial top-four tenants Atletico Madrid.

Real Madrid fought back from an early 2-0 deficit to thump Liverpool 5-2 in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in midweek, becoming the first side to score five times at Anfield in a single Champions League game. Back to La Liga duties after winning back-to-back league outings by 2+ goals ‘to nil,’ Carlo Ancelotti’s men are looking to win three consecutive top-flight matches for the first time since October 2022. Atletico’s visit to the Bernabeu bodes well, with ‘Los Merengues’ going unbeaten in 12 of their last 13 H2Hs in La Liga (W6, D6). Moreover, they’ve won three successive league H2Hs at home without conceding after dropping points in their six previous home duels against Atletico in the top-flight (D3, L3).

In the meantime, without the distraction of European football following an underwhelming bottom-place finish in their Champions League group and the subsequent Copa del Rey elimination to Real Madrid, Diego Simeone’s men have found their feet in the league. Since bowing out of the domestic cup competition, Atletico Madrid have won three out of four La Liga matches by an identical 1-0 scoreline (D1), including back-to-back triumphs over Osasuna and Athletic Bilbao in the build-up. Moreover, after going winless on three consecutive league travels (D1, L2), ‘Los Rojiblancos’ have won their last two away league games ‘to nil.’ Home and away, they’re unbeaten in six top-flight matches (W4, D2), accounting for their longest undefeated run in La Liga this season.