*Match preview and betting tips provided by SVB Tips
Atletico Madrid have been haunted by Real Madrid in recent Champions League encounters, and now, the two Madrid giants face off again in the round of 16, with the first leg at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday evening.
Real Madrid come into this clash off a disappointing 1-2 loss at Real Betis, which saw them relinquish the top spot in La Liga. Atletico, on the other hand, have been on an impressive 10-game unbeaten streak, and from November to January, Atletico managed 15 wins in a row.
Real Madrid have been a nightmare for Atletico in the Champions League under Diego Simeone. In the last 11 years, Atletico reached the semifinals three times, only to be stopped by Real Madrid each time, once at that stage, and also in the actual final in 2014 and 2016. Despite their consistent runs, Atletico have never won the Champions League and have lost three finals in all.
On the other hand, Real Madrid are the most successful team in the competition's history with 15 titles, the most recent coming last season after defeating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the final.
Head-to-Head Record
The last five meetings between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have all ended in draws after 90 minutes. Both of their La Liga meetings this season ended in 1-1 draws. In the last nine encounters between the two sides, both teams have scored.
Real Madrid’s recent 1-2 defeat to Betis has seen them drop to 3rd place in La Liga, trailing behind Atletico and Barcelona. In the Champions League, Ancelotti’s men had to go through the playoffs to reach the round of 16, but they emerged victorious over Manchester City (6-3 on aggregate).
Injury Updates
Real Madrid have significant issues in midfield ahead of this derby. Jude Bellingham is suspended due to yellow card accumulation, while Fede Valverde and Dani Ceballos have muscular problems and will not play. This could force David Alaba into the central defence and move Tchouameni into midfield. Other absentees for the Blancos include Carvajal, Militao, and Vallejo.
On the Atletico side, they have been solid in La Liga, beating Bilbao 1-0 at the weekend. However, they are without Koke and Azpilicueta due to injuries. Atletico are expected to make at least two changes to their starting lineup, with Julian Alvarez coming in up front and Marcos Llorente playing on the right flank.
Historical Statistics
- Real Madrid leads the head-to-head with 91 wins out of 175 meetings.
- Atletico has won 41 times, with 44 games ending in draws.
Last Meeting
The most recent meeting, just under a month ago, ended 1-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu in La Liga. Julian Alvarez scored first for Atletico, but Kylian Mbappe equalised after the break.
Betting Suggestions
- Full-Time Result: Given the recent form of both teams, a draw (X) after 90 minutes could be a safe bet, as the last five encounters between these two sides have ended in draws.
- Both Teams to Score (BTTS): Both teams have scored in the last nine encounters.
- Under 2.5 Goals: The matches between these two teams tend to be tight and defensive, so goals are likely to be at a premium
- Anytime Goalscorer: With injuries impacting Real Madrid's midfield, Vinícius Júnior could play a crucial role in creating chances. For Atletico, Antoine Griezmann is always a threat.
- First Half Result: Given the tactical nature of this fixture, Draw at Half-Time could be a value bet.