La Liga’s most anticipated fixture of the weekend sees Real Madrid host Atletico Madrid in a crucial Madrid Derby at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.
With only one point separating the two sides at the top of the table, the outcome of this clash could have a significant impact on the La Liga title race. Real Madrid are looking to recover from a shock defeat to Espanyol, while Atletico Madrid enter the game in scintillating form, scoring 11 goals in their last three matches.
Can Carlo Ancelotti’s injury-hit side hold off Diego Simeone’s in-form Atleti, or will Los Rojiblancos secure their first Bernabeu victory since 2016?
Match Details
📍 Location: Madrid, Spain
🏟️ Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
📅 Date: Saturday, 8 February 2025
⏰ Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
👨⚖️ Referee: Cesar Soto Grado
📺 VAR: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoechea
Head-to-Head Record (Last 5 Games)
- Real Madrid Wins: 1
- Atletico Madrid Wins: 2
- Draws: 2
- Last Meeting: Atletico Madrid 1-1 Real Madrid (29 September 2024) – La Liga
Current Form (All Competitions)
Real Madrid
✅ 3-2 vs Leganes – 05/02/25 (Copa del Rey)
❌ 0-1 vs Espanyol – 01/02/25 (La Liga)
✅ 3-0 vs Brest – 29/01/25 (UCL)
✅ 3-0 vs Real Valladolid – 26/01/25 (La Liga)
✅ 5-1 vs RB Salzburg – 22/01/25 (UCL)
Atletico Madrid
✅ 5-0 vs Getafe – 04/02/25 (Copa del Rey)
✅ 2-0 vs Mallorca – 01/02/25 (La Liga)
✅ 4-1 vs RB Salzburg – 29/01/25 (UCL)
🤝 1-1 vs Villarreal – 25/01/25 (La Liga)
✅ 2-1 vs Bayer Leverkusen – 21/01/25 (UCL)
Real Madrid Team News
Carlo Ancelotti faces a defensive crisis, with three key defenders Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, and Eder Militao all sidelined. As a result, midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni is expected to fill in at center-back, partnering Raul Asencio.
🔴 Unavailable Players:
- Antonio Rudiger (hamstring)
- David Alaba (muscle injury)
- Eder Militao (ACL tear)
- Dani Carvajal (doubtful)
⚠️ Tactical Adjustments:
- Lucas Vazquez will start at right-back in place of Carvajal.
- Ferland Mendy and Fran Garcia are competing for the left-back spot.
- Jude Bellingham might play deeper in midfield to add balance.
- Eduardo Camavinga is expected to return after missing recent games.
Real Madrid Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)
GK: Courtois
DEF: Vazquez – Tchouameni – Asencio – Garcia
MID: Valverde – Camavinga – Bellingham
ATT: Rodrygo – Mbappe – Vinicius
Atletico Madrid Team News
Atletico Madrid are in much better shape than their rivals, with no major injury concerns. However, key center-back Robin Le Normand is suspended, meaning Clement Lenglet will step in to partner Jose Maria Gimenez.
🔴 Unavailable Players:
- Robin Le Normand (suspension)
- Thomas Lemar (injured)
- Rodrigo Riquelme (injured)
✅ Key Tactical Notes:
- Conor Gallagher has settled well and will start in midfield.
- Julian Alvarez & Antoine Griezmann are forming an unstoppable strike duo.
- Marcos Llorente is expected to play right-back in a balanced 4-4-2 setup.
Atletico Madrid Predicted Lineup (4-4-2)
GK: Oblak
DEF: Llorente – Gimenez – Lenglet – Galan
MID: Simeone – De Paul – Barrios – Gallagher
ATT: Alvarez – Griezmann
Match Prediction
Atletico Madrid are in red-hot form and perfectly suited to exploit Real Madrid’s defensive frailties.
Los Blancos still possess world-class attacking talent, and their individual quality could keep them in the game, but with their unbalanced defense, Atleti have a clear advantage in transitions.
Expect Diego Simeone’s side to frustrate Madrid defensively and strike clinically on the counter-attack to earn a crucial victory.
Prediction: Real Madrid 1-2 Atletico Madrid
⚽ Will Atleti secure a rare Bernabeu victory, or can Madrid’s superstars rise to the occasion? Let us know your thoughts! 💬🔥
