Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid: UCL Match Preview, Odds & Prediction

The best of the Champions League last 16 ties will take place at the Bernabeu on Tuesday. Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will face off in a match that promises fireworks and flair.

Their red and white opponents finished in the top five of the league phase table, but Carlo Ancelotti's winners had to eliminate Manchester City from the playoffs to go this far.

Previous Matches and Head-to-head

Even though Real Madrid had to go the roundabout way to get to the last 16, facing a tough playoff matchup against 2023 champions Manchester City as punishment for not qualifying directly, they are still well within range of a record-extending 16th top-level continental trophy.

Nevertheless, Real Madrid solidified their advancement with a 3-1 second-leg victory thanks to a hat trick from the sensational Kylian Mbappe. The master coach Carlo Ancelotti once again outwitted Pep Guardiola over two legs, supervising an exciting 3-2 Etihad victory.

As of last year, Los Blancos had gone undefeated in nine straight Champions League knockout matches, including their run to Wembley glory. This is their twelfth encounter against a Spanish opponent in the European Cup knockout phase, and they have only lost twice in their last eleven meetings.

Real Betis, driven by Isco, stunned Real with a 2-1 victory on Saturday, ending Real's three-game winning streak and seven-match undefeated streak. This was the latest setback for Ancelotti's crop, plagued by a former flame.

As a consolation, the defending European champions have an impressive record at the Bernabeu, having won eight and drawn one of their past nine matches played in front of the home fans.

Atletico Madrid capitalized on Real Madrid's loss of the La Liga championship on Saturday, continuing their quest for revenge in Europe for their disappointments in the 2014 and 2016 finals. However, Diego Simeone's team had several fortunate breaks against Athletic Bilbao.

Even though the match was decided by a goal from Julian Alvarez for the Rojiblancos, Atletico's woodwork saved them on three separate occasions in the second half. Simeone's emotional speech at full-time should have been filled with relief rather than celebration.

Los Rojiblancos did not showcase their defensive prowess in the UCL league phase. Still, their irrepressible attacking play was the deciding factor as they won their final five games to place fifth appropriately. Saturday's victory propelled them to the top of the La Liga standings, at least until Real Sociedad's match on Sunday.

Real Madrid remain undefeated in UCL knockout matches against their city rivals, but Atletico Madrid's three away knockout games in 2023–24 were all losses. This was their worst losing streak at this level of Europe's premier event since 1971.

Indeed, the current holders ended Atletico's dreams of European stardom in every campaign from 1958–59 to 2016–17. However, in all competitions, they have won just one of their last seven matches against Simeone's squad. The tense draw in February was the third 1–1 in a row between the Madrid giants.

Real Madrid x Atletico Madrid Team News

Due to his third yellow card of the season, which he received in Real Madrid's home victory over Man City, metronome Jude Bellingham will miss Tuesday's opening leg of the Champions League. He is already serving a two-game domestic suspension.

Several players are out this week due to injury, including the England national team, Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Dani Ceballos, and Jesus Vallejo. However, Ancelotti has confirmed that Federico Valverde will be available again after experiencing pain.

Due to Ancelotti's desire to play it safe with the injury-prone David Alaba, the versatile Uruguayan might be called upon to replace Lucas Vazquez at right back, one of two possible defensive alterations. Another is to bring Raul Asencio back into the starting lineup.

Regarding defensive health, Atletico Madrid will be without veteran Cesar Azpilicueta at the Bernabeu due to a leg ailment, while long-serving pivot Koke will also be out with a thigh issue.

After Saturday's victory and his six goals in the 2024–25 UCL season, Alvarez has put his hand up for a starting role in the first leg, and Los Rojiblancos otherwise have a fully-fit roster to choose from.

The former Manchester City player may bench Alexander Sorloth for Tuesday's match. In contrast, Marcos Llorente, who came off the bench to set up Alvarez's game-winning goal, will challenge Giuliano Simeone for the right-back position.

Our Predictions

Full-time draw @ 3.60 on Sky247.ng

While Simeone's team will be well aware that Atletico relied on luck on many occasions, Jan Oblak's goal will undoubtedly be broken at the Bernabeu, despite the defenders holding up against Athletic.

If Simeone's defense is any indication, Real will put up a spirited fight. Still, without Bellingham leading the attack, Atletico Madrid has a good chance of tying Real for a fourth straight Madrid derby, giving them the upper hand going into the second leg.

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