Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid predictions and betting tips – Blancos face derby test

Both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have had a successful week in the Champions League, but La Liga takes centre stage again this weekend. For Madrid in particular, this is a massive match.

Barcelona are likely to be seven points clear in top spot by the time this game kicks off on Sunday evening. Can Madrid bite back, or will Atletico harm their title ambitions?

• Real Madrid to win – 10/11 with SBK
• Real Madrid to win first half – 11/8 with 247Bet
• Kylian Mbappe to score any time – 4/6 with Betfred

Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid odds

Find the latest Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid predictions

Real Madrid have got their season back on track with a two-legged Champions League victory over Manchester City.

Doom and gloom abounded at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu heading into the last-16 tie. Madrid had just lost back-to-back matches in La Liga, handing Barcelona the initiative in the title race. 

The club was also dealing with an injury crisis which left them without a host of key players at a vital point in the campaign. Manchester City, who were in good form domestically, were widely considered favourites to progress.

In the end, Madrid won comfortably. A 3-0 triumph in the home leg was followed by a 2-1 win at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday. Alvaro Arbeloa’s side will face Bayern Munich in a mouthwatering quarter-final.

Before that, Madrid must try to close the gap at the top of La Liga. Barcelona hold a four-point advantage as things stand. Given the final Clasico of the campaign will take place at the Camp Nou, Hansi Flick’s side are odds-on to finish top.

By the time the Madrid derby kicks off on Sunday evening, Barca will probably be seven points clear of their arch-rivals. If that does prove to be the case, Madrid cannot afford to come up short.

Ever since they won the first five editions of the European Cup, Madrid have always been obsessed with the competition. At this juncture, you feel, the fans and hierarchy alike would be perfectly content with finishing second in La Liga but winning the Champions League.

But Madrid are not out of the title fight yet. Barcelona are a wonderful team on their day, but they are not immune to dropping points unexpectedly. Madrid must ensure they are ready and waiting to pounce if Barca do slip up at any stage.

“Nobody’s going to throw in the towel,” Arbeloa said earlier this month. “It’s a gap we think we can close. It’s Real Madrid, and nobody’s going to give up.”

Unfortunately for Atletico Madrid, the title is already out of reach. They head into the weekend 13 points behind Barcelona and nine adrift of Real Madrid, so even a victory at the Bernabeu would leave them a distance off the top two.

On the plus side, with a 13-point lead over fifth-placed Real Betis, Diego Simeone’s side are on course to qualify for the Champions League with a few matches to spare.

Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid betting tips

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are ready to butt heads in La Liga this weekend.

Hosts to win out

Real Madrid will have gained a lot of confidence from their defeat of Manchester City, especially as they won both legs of the Champions League tie.

Had they been playing a bottom-half La Liga team this weekend, there would have been a danger that Madrid would struggle to get themselves up for it.

In a sense, then, the derby has come at the perfect time for the Blancos, who look set to welcome Kylian Mbappe back into their starting XI as a further boost.

Atletico Madrid have a mediocre away record and they will probably come unstuck across town at the Bernabeu.

Back Real Madrid to win at 10/11 with SBK

Madrid to start faster

Atletico Madrid have often got out of the blocks quickly this season.

Simeone’s charges have scored a league-high 11 goals in the first quarter of an hour of matches, which has been their most productive 15-minute spell of all.

At the same time, their overall first-half record is only the fifth-best in the division, which compares unfavourably to their status as the third-best performers in the second period.

With the home crowd behind them on Sunday evening, Madrid will look to make a fast start. We fancy them to be ahead with 45 minutes on the clock.

Tip Real Madrid to win first half at 11/8 with 247Bet

Mbappe on way back

Mbappe appeared as a second-half substitute against Manchester City on Tuesday, paving the way for his return to the starting XI this weekend.

Despite those victories over City, Madrid have missed the France international. His record of 23 goals in 23 La Liga games this term speaks for itself.

Vinicius Junior has been in fine form in Mbappe’s absence, which again raises the question of whether the Brazilian can be at his best alongside his esteemed colleague.

That is a question for another day. In terms of Sunday’s Madrid derby, this is a golden opportunity for Mbappe to announce his return to the fold in style.

Choose Kylian Mbappe to score any time at 4/6 with Betfred

Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid predicted lineups

• Real Madrid expected lineup: Lunin; Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, F. Garcia; Valverde, Pitarch, Tchouameni, Guler; Mbappe, Vinicius.
• Atletico Madrid expected lineup: Musso; Molina, Hancko, Lenglet, Ruggeri; Simeone, Llorente, Koke, Lookman; Alvarez, Sorloth.

Where to watch Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid

• Location: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain.
• Date and time: Sunday 22nd March, 8pm.
• How to watch: Premier Sports 1.

More La Liga predictions

We have plenty more La Liga predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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