Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Match Preview & Predictions

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid match preview and predictions for Sunday’s LaLiga match. Read on for the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups ahead of the big Madrid derby at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Preview

The Madrid derby is back on Sunday and it’s one of the biggest in years, particularly for the hosts who would take a major stride towards the first title in seven years were they to win it. Atleti do not have a good home record against Los Blancos by any stretch of the imagination but having finally claimed a league win over Barcelona this season, they really would underline their status as worthy champions if they could record another victory here.

With their title push wobbling a lot, last weekend’s 2-0 win at Villarreal really was significant from an Atleti perspective. It was just one win in five in all competitions for Diego Simeone’s side prior to that with both Barcelona and Real Madrid closing what was previously a large advantage for the red and white half of Madrid. To go on and win at what has been a bogey ground for Atleti in recent years really was significant, and a goal for Joao Felix was the icing on the cake for the visitors.

The Portuguese youngster hasn’t convinced in front of goal in recent months and only featured off the bench in that game. His reaction to scoring suggested he wasn’t too thrilled about that but in truth Felix does need to step up and start delivering on a more consistent basis if he wants to be considered an automatic starter in a title-chasing team. 

As for Real Madrid, their hopes of getting right back into the title race took a real blow on the previous matchday. Not only did Barcelona and Atleti both win tough away games, but Zinedine Zidane’s side dropped points at home to Real Sociedad on Monday night. Indeed they only scraped a draw courtesy of a late Vinicius goal and while it wasn’t a terrible performance, it does give this derby a ‘must win’ feel as far as the visitors are concerned.

Los Blancos have never lost on this ground and have only conceded one goal. Their significant injury problems have eased but they would have dearly loved for Sergio Ramos to have been available here. It’s in big matches like this where he so often makes key contributions at both ends of the pitch and his absence, combined with Madrid’s overall lack of goal threat will offer up encouragement to the hosts heading into it.

Good morning! Atlético and Real Madrid head into Sunday's Madrid derby with their strikers either doubtful, unavailable or struggling in front of goal. Today's front cover of AS: pic.twitter.com/N0xYmnlXr0

— AS English (@English_AS) March 5, 2021

Head to Head

• Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 3 Real Madrid Wins, 3 Draws.
• Atletico haven’t won a competitive Madrid derby since the 2018 UEFA Super Cup which they won 4-2 after Extra Time.
• 2 of the 3 meetings at the Wanda Metropolitano have ended goalless.
• The exception was a 3-1 Real Madrid win in February 2019.

Team News

Jose Gimenez is the only selection doubt as far as the home team are concerned. Kieran Trippier is available again following his betting ban which is a major boost for Atleti.

Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal are sidelined for Real Madrid. Karim Benzema has trained and could be risked given the importance of the game.

Predicted Atleti Starting Lineup:

Oblak – Hermoso, Savic, Felipe – Carrasco, Koke, Llorente, Trippier – Felix, Suarez, Correa (3-4-3)

Predicted Real Madrid Starting Lineup:

Courtois – Mendy, Nacho, Varane, Vazquez – Kroos, Casemiro, Modric – Isco – Benzema, Asensio (4-1-3-2)

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Predictions

LaLiga Expert Predicts: Atletico Madrid 0-0 Real Madrid (follow us on Tipstrr to view our betting tips)

Two of the three Madrid derbies at the Wanda Metropolitano to date have ended goalless and you wouldn’t bet against a repeat here. Diego Simeone is never too adventurous in these big games, not least when his side are 5 points clear at the top of the table. While Real Madrid may be there to be got at, a draw would still be a pretty good outcome for the hosts and they ought to get it with Los Blancos offering little in the way of a goal threat at the moment.

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