The giant from the Santiago Bernabeu certainly can’t be satisfied with itself, especially after failing to win a single trophy in 2025. In January, following a Super Cup loss, Xabi Alonso, who had been in charge for half a year, was dismissed. His replacement, Arbeloa, debuted with a defeat in the Copa del Rey, and that too against Albacete. In the Champions League, they managed to beat Manchester City twice. However, in La Liga, after catching up with Barcelona at the end of winter, they lost first place due to setbacks against Osasuna and Getafe. But they beat both Celta and Elche convincingly.
Diego Simeone hasn’t claimed a major trophy with his team for a long time. Last season, at least, they reclaimed third place in La Liga, but now Villarreal is challenging them for it once again. Only in the last round, after beating Getafe, did they pull ahead by a couple of points. In the Champions League, they settled everything at home against crisis-hit Tottenham with a 5-2 thrashing, so they could afford a one-goal loss in London. Most importantly, in the cup, after a difficult path past Barcelona (4-0 and 0-3), they reached the final!
The “Madrid” stars score an average of 2.14 goals per match, conceding only 0.86. Their neighbors are more modest in attack, netting 1.68 per game, but their defense is solid with just 0.89 goals conceded on average.
Previous Matches: Real Madrid vs Atletico
In the last four derbies, both clubs have won twice each.
Faith in Arbeloa’s men is strong. However, they do have problems that their opponent will at least try to exploit. The recommended bet is “total over 2.5 goals” (odds – 1.60).
Real Madrid vs Atletico: Key Statistics and Trends
Real Madrid has won their last four matches.
54% of Real’s matches end with both teams scoring, and the average total goals per match is 3.0.
Atletico has won three out of their last four games.
46% of Atletico’s matches end with both teams scoring, and the average total goals per match is 2.57.
Real Madrid vs Atletico: Probable Starting Lineups
Real Madrid is expected to use a 1-4-5-1 formation (possible lineup): Lunin – Alvaro Carreras, Alaba, Rudiger, Alexander-Arnold – Pitarch, Tchouameni, Guler, Valverde, Vinicius Junior – Mbappe. Militao, Rodrygo, Asensio, Mendy, Bellingham, and Ceballos will not play, and now Courtois is also out.
Atletico is likely to line up in a 1-3-3-2-2 formation (possible lineup): Musso – Lenglet, Gimenez, Pubill – Molina, Gonzalez, Vargas, Koke, Almada – Baena, Sorloth. Oblak and Barrios with Mendoza are sidelined due to injuries.
