Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid: Match Preview and La Liga Predictions
Real host Atletico Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday, 22 March. Kickoff is scheduled for 22:00 Kyiv time.
Context and momentum
Real advanced to the Champions League quarterfinals after the second-leg victory over Manchester City. Andriy Lunin produced several key saves in that match. The win gives Real momentum before the international break.
Atletico arrive having inflicted a 5-2 league defeat on Real in their last La Liga meeting. That result remains a recent low for the hosts.
Goalkeeper situations and selection
Both clubs will start with replacements in goal. Jan Oblak is absent for Atletico, so Juan Musso is expected to start. Thibaut Courtois is unavailable for Real, and Andriy Lunin is set to take the shirt.
Lunin has had limited minutes this season. His Manchester City performance showed he can perform in big games. The goalkeeper views this as a major opportunity to challenge for a starting spot.
Form, injuries and squad news
Real have won four of their last five matches. Getafe handed them the only recent defeat. Victims in that run include Celta, Elche, and Manchester City twice.
Atletico have three wins in five. Their two recent losses came in the Copa del Rey semi and a Champions League second leg. Those defeats followed strong first-leg results.
- Real injured: Courtois, Militão, Rodrygo, Ceballos, Mendy.
- Atletico injured: Oblak, Barrios, Mendoza.
- Questionable: Bellingham (Real); Pubil, Ruggeri (Atletico).
Historical record
The clubs have met 242 times. Real have 118 wins, Atletico 61, and there have been 63 draws. Goal difference stands 399 to 307 in Real’s favour.
| Matches | Real Wins | Atletico Wins | Draws | Goals (Real – Atletico) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 242 | 118 | 61 | 63 | 399 – 307 |
Notable moments
The derby produced Champions League finals in 2014 and 2016. Last season’s round-of-16 tie also sparked debate, including a cancelled penalty for Julián Álvarez.
Expected lineups
Reported starting XIs follow the latest coverage. Managers may still change plans before kickoff.
- Real (expected): Lunin – Trent, Rüdiger, Høysen, F. García – Valverde, Chouameni, Pitarch – Güler – Vinícius, Mbappé.
- Atletico (expected): Musso – Molina, Jiménez, Le Normann, Ganczko – Simeone, Llorente, Cardoso, Lukman – Álvarez, Sörloth.
What to expect and prediction
Real cannot afford more dropped points if they want to keep pace with Barcelona. The derby win will not decide the title race. El Clásico on 10 May still looms large.
Filmogaz.com notes this Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid: Match Preview highlights strong attacking options on both sides. Expect an intense derby with goals from both teams.
In our La Liga Predictions, Real are favoured to win. Recent form, squad depth, and momentum from the Champions League tie tilt the balance.
