Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid Preview: Team News & Prediction
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We have a Madrid derby taking place in the UEFA Champions League for the first time in this decade after the two sides played out some memorable clashes throughout the 2010’s.
Kick-off date/time: Tuesday 4th March, 2025: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Real Madrid Preview: Football royalty
The defending and 15-time European champions Real Madrid haven’t been overly convincing throughout the campaign, having lost the Spanish Supercopa, finished in mid-table in the UEFA Champions League league phase and enduring a topsy turvy run in La Liga’s title race.
Los Blancos experienced one of the downs in the league this weekend as they suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat to Real Betis at the Benito Villamarin in Andalusia with Brahim Diaz’ opener being cancelled out by a Johnny Cardoso equaliser and then an Isco winning penalty.
Atletico Madrid Preview: Simeone’s men
Atletico Madrid took advantage of that Madrid loss to Betis as Los Rojiblancos edged past another title challenger in Athletic Club at the Metropolitano in the Spanish capital city, defeating them by a goal to nil thanks to a Julian Alvarez strike in the 66th minute.
Atletico had enjoyed a 15-match winning streak across all competitions from late-October to mid-January but they have since been a little shakier since then. However, they are now once again unbeaten in ten matches as they chase a potential treble.
Real Madrid Team News: Bellingham suspension
After recently suffering a two-match suspension in La Liga, Jude Bellingham is now serving a one-match ban in the UEFA Champions League due to too many yellow cards. They also have a few key injury concerns with a badly timed injury for Dani Ceballos.
Predicted XI (X-X-X-X): Courtois; Valverde, Rudiger, Asencio, Mendy; Modric, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius
Unavailable: Militao (Injured), Vallejo (Injured), Carvajal (Injured), Bellingham (Suspended), Ceballos (Injured)
Questionable: Valverde (Injured)
Atletico Madrid Team News: Experienced absentees
As they make the trip across the city, Atletico Madrid are without experienced duo Cesar Azpilicueta and Koke but Diego Simeone's best eleven in recent months hasn't involved either anyway so they will remain very strong and confident ahead of the first-leg.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Oblak; Llorente, Gimenez, Lenglet, Galan; Simeone, Barrios, De Paul, Lino; Griezmann, Alvarez
Unavailable: Azpilicueta (Injured), Koke (Injured)
Questionable:
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid Prediction
Real Madrid will once again be without Jude Bellingham due to suspension and that could be crucial as they seek control and a grip on a game in midfield that is expected to be intensely physical with Diego Simeone’s belligerent and no thrills but effective Atleti. Atletio rarely lose and Madrid don’t have the balance to convincingly and consistently blow sides away. Madrid may well be favourites at the Bernabeu but a slender first-leg deficit will ultimately suit their opponents, too.
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid Tip: Real Madrid to win & under 3.5 goals
