Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid: Tips, Odds, and Match Preview

Things were going well for the visitors until Brahim Diaz netted a late stunner to hand Real Madrid the one-goal advantage heading into the second leg. The stage is ready for another intriguing Madrileño at Metropolitano, where Atletico has had the upper hand in 2 of their last 3 meetings.

The home team’s aim is clear; they trail by one goal and will be looking to cancel the Bernabeu result early on. But they can’t just go all guns a-blazing, given Real’s devastating transition this campaign.

Los Blancos will probably be happy sitting back in the opening stages of the game. Real also have history backing them up, having beaten their city rivals in their last 3 Champions League meetings, including two finals.

Atletico Is Banking on Home Form

Despite their reputation for sturdy defence, Atletico has yet to keep a clean sheet at home in the 2024/25 Champions League campaign. And the team has lost to Getafe on Sunday, meaning that they’ll be going into the Madrileño after back-to-back defeats.

Other than that, Los Colchoneros have every reason to trust their home form. They’ve won 10 of their last games at Metropolitano, including 3 out of 4 UCL group stage games. They are also currently sitting in third place in La Liga, with a single point separating them from the top of the table. Finally, they lost only one in the last seven clashes with Real at home.

Atletico Madrid Injury and Suspension News

Atletico is in questionable midfield shape ahead of the Real clash. Koke remains an injury concern, as do Clement Lenglet and Rodrigo De Paul. Pablo Barrios got the nod last time, but Conor Gallagher and Alexander Sorloth are also knocking on the door for this one. Also, Cesar Azpilicueta is back.

Los Blancos Are Banking on History

The basic fact of life is that Real Madrid always turns up for the Champions League, and it’s difficult to look past them in this fixture. Ancelotti’s side hasn’t looked their best in the group stages and had to take an additional step in the form of a Man City elimination matchup. Still, they barely broke a sweat against Pep’s side, dispatching them 6:3 on aggregate.

Los Blancos are heading into the derby following a 2:1 win over Rayo Vallecano which levelled them on points at the top with Barcelona who has a game in hand. And the fact that the last 3 elimination matchups against Atletico have ended positively will give them all the confidence in the world.

Real Madrid Injury & Suspension News

Jude Bellingham is back after being suspended for the first leg and will probably take his central midfield role, particularly because Dani Ceballos will be missing the game. Other notable absences for Los Blancos are Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao.

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Prediction

Although playing the return leg at home is usually a huge advantage, this game is poised to be won and lost in the midfield with Bellingham back and De Paul potentially out. Moreover, I can see Mbappe and Vinicius Jr licking their lips in transition, particularly with the goal advantage. I am leaning towards Real win and looking at Playbet.io odds of 2.72.

If a draw seems more likely to you, I’d go big and make the most of Shuffle’s 9.40 on 2:2 correct score odds.

CryptoGamba tip: Real Madrid win – 2.72 @Playbet.io