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Real Madrid vs. Atlético Madrid
This weekend, not only the fans of the Spanish La Liga are looking forward to a top match. In the Madrid derby, the current league leader receives the champion of the previous season. The duel between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will be played at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday from 21:00.
The two big rivals are currently separated by 10 points in the table. Atletico are fourth in the table with 29 points after 15 games, but have played one game less than the Royals (39 points after 16 games). With a win on Sunday, the Rojiblancos could jump back up to second place in the table. Find out whether we think they can win at the Bernanéu for the first time since 2016 and our other predictions for the derby in our Real Madrid vs Atletico betting tips.
Real Madrid – Atletico Info
– Date & Time: 12/12/2021, at 21:00.
– Venue: Madrid, Estadio Santiago Bernabéu
– Competition: La Liga, Matchday 17
– TV broadcast: DAZN
Real Madrid Form & Balance Check
The Royals currently sit unchallenged at the top of the Spanish league. After six wins in a row, they have created a cushion of eight points on second place. Recently, they were able to consolidate their lead in the standings with two important victories. They won against third-placed FC Sevilla (2-1) and last Saturday against second-placed San Sebastian (2-0). Atletico Madrid, currently in fourth place, now await them on Sunday.
Home power in the Bernabéu
At home, Real Madrid are almost impossible to beat. In the league, the royals are unbeaten for 17 home games season-long. They have won all of their last five home games. Their only slip-up at home this season came in the Champions League against FC Sheriff Tiraspol (1:2). Against Atletico Madrid, the white ballet is undefeated in eight games at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.
Real Madrid facts & analysis
– Won nine competitive games in a row
– conceded only one goal in last five competitive matches
– strongest offence in the league: 37 goals in 16 league games
Atletico form & balance check
After seven unbeaten league games in a row before, Atletico Madrid had to leave the pitch as losers for the second time this season on the last matchday. The Rojiblancos lost 2-1 at home to RCD Mallorca. After ex-Berlin player Matheus Cunha (68th minute) had fired his new club into the lead, Atletico still lost a little unhappily through two late goals from Franco Russo (80′) and Takefusa Kubo (90+1′). In the last Champions League group match on Tuesday evening, luck was with the Rojiblancos again. In a wild encounter with a total of three sending-offs, they won 3:1 at FC Porto despite a weak performance for long stretches and thus punched their ticket to the round of 16.
Injury worries before the derby
Ahead of the game at Real, Atletico are plagued by massive injury problems. Defensively, in addition to defender Jose Maria Gimenez, both full-backs Kieran Trippier and Sime Vrsaljko are missing. In addition, Luis Suarez, Atletico’s top scorer in the league with seven goals, was injured in Porto and will not be available for Sunday’s derby.
Atletico facts & analysis
– Won three of last five league games (one draw & one defeat).
– scored in eight league games in a row
– conceded exactly one goal in four consecutive matches
Predicted line-up – last update on 10 December 2021
Karim Benzema, who has been plagued by knee problems, is expected back against Atletico Madrid. However, he could also take his place on the bench for the time being and would then probably be replaced again by the recently strong ex-Frankfurt player Luka Jovic. This would not change the classic 4-3-3 formation.
Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, are plagued by far greater injury worries. With José María Gimenéz, Kieran Trippier and Luis Suarez, several important regulars will be out injured on Sunday. We expect them to play with the above line-up in a more defensively oriented 4-4-2 system.
Real Madrid – Atletico direct comparison & Statistics
Real Madrid are unbeaten in nine matches against Atletico. For Atletico’s last win, we have to go back to 2017. Back then, Atletico won the second leg of the Champions League semi-final 2-1, but Real had won the first leg 3-0, so the Rojiblancos were still eliminated. In the league, Atletico last won at the Bernabéu in early 2016. Antoine Griezmann scored the final 1-0 goal in the 53rd minute.
– Real Madrid unbeaten in 17 home games
– Real Madrid have won nine competitive matches in a row
– Atletico Madrid have won only one of their last four away games in La Liga
– Atletico Madrid have failed to win eight consecutive away games at the Bernabéu
