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A Massive Madrid Derby Awaits
This weekend, the iconic Madrid Derby will take center stage at the Santiago Bernabeu, as Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid square off in a crucial fixture for the La Liga title race. With just one point separating the two sides, this match will play a pivotal role in the hunt for Spain’s top honor.
Atletico Madrid’s Form: Momentum on Their Side
Atletico Madrid, led by Diego Simeone, have been impressive heading into this derby. Despite a surprising loss to Leganes last month, Atletico bounced back with a series of dominating performances, including a 5-0 thrashing of Getafe and solid victories over Mallorca and RB Salzburg. With La Liga’s tightest defense and a potent attack, Atletico will be eager to secure their first win at the Bernabeu since 2016.
Real Madrid’s Recent Struggles
On the other hand, Real Madrid head into this match under more pressure. After a shock defeat to Espanyol, the defending champions have shown signs of vulnerability. Despite winning their Copa del Rey quarterfinal against Leganes, Carlo Ancelotti’s side has lacked consistency. With key players sidelined due to injuries, including Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, and Eder Militao, Real will have to dig deep to maintain their spot at the top.
Head-to-Head Record
Over the last five encounters between these two teams, the rivalry has been tightly contested:
- Real Madrid: 1 win
- Atletico Madrid: 2 wins
- Draws: 2
- Last meeting: Atletico Madrid 1-1 Real Madrid (September 29, 2024)
Key Players to Watch
Real Madrid will rely heavily on Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr., and Kylian Mbappe to create chances and break down Atletico’s defense. However, the absence of key defenders could leave them vulnerable at the back.
For Atletico, all eyes will be on the lethal attacking duo of Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez, with Jan Oblak continuing to be a key figure in goal. The midfield pairing of Rodrigo De Paul and Marcos Llorente will also play an important role in dictating the tempo of the game.
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid Predicted Lineups
Real Madrid (4-3-3):
- Courtois
- Vazquez, Tchouameni, Asencio, Garcia
- Valverde, Camavinga, Bellingham
- Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius
Atletico Madrid (4-4-2):
- Oblak
- Llorente, Gimenez, Lenglet, Galan
- Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Gallagher
- Alvarez, Griezmann
Match Prediction: Atletico to Edge Past Real Madrid
While Real Madrid’s squad depth remains formidable, their injury struggles and defensive frailties may be exploited by Atletico Madrid’s counter-attacking style. The combination of Griezmann and Alvarez could be the difference in this high-stakes encounter. Atletico’s solid defense and quick transitions are likely to give them the edge in a narrow victory.
Prediction: Real Madrid 1-2 Atletico Madrid
How to Watch Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid
- Location: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain
- Date: Saturday, February 8, 2025
- Kick-off: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
- Referee: Cesar Soto Grado
- VAR: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoechea
- Watch on TV:
- UK: Premier Sports Player, LaLigaTV, Premier Sports 2
- US: ESPN+, fuboTV, ESPN App, ESPN Deportes
- Canada: TSN+
Join the Discussion!
How do you think this match will unfold? Will Real Madrid manage to hold onto their top spot, or will Atletico Madrid secure a landmark win at the Bernabeu? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
