Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid Predictions

Historically, there is no other team which has performed better than Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League. But with their current run of form, Carlo Ancelotti’s men will have to do better to have a chance of progressing. Goal-goal looks like the best bet.

Match info: Champions League

Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

Date: Tuesday, 4^th March 2025

Time: 9 pm Nigerian time

Flashpoints and flair are to be expected in the pick of the Champions League last-16 ties, as bitterest foes Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid meet at the Bernabeu in Tuesday's first leg.

While Carlo Ancelotti's champions needed to eliminate Manchester City from the playoffs just to make it this far, their red and white foes finished in the top five of the league phase table.

Head-to-head:

• Real Madrid have won 5 of the 9 Madrid derbies in the UEFA Champions League between the two teams.
• Atletico Madrid recorded 2 victories.
• The remaining 2 clashes ended in draws.
• This will be the 10th meeting between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in the UCL.
• The previous three meetings between Los Blancos and Diego Simeone’s men have ended in a draw. All ended 1-1.
• Atletico Madrid have lost each of their last three away games in the knockout stages of the European Cup.

Form:

• Real Madrid in the Champions League: W-W-W-W-W
• Real Madrid in all competitions: D-W-W-W-L
• Atletico Madrid in the Champions League: W-W-W-W-W
• Atletico Madrid in all competitions: D-D-W-D-W

Team News:

• Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, Daniel Ceballos, and Jesus Vallejo are injured and will not be in action. Jude Bellingham was suspended during the last UCL fixture and will not be a part of the next UCL outing. Federico Valverde is facing some physical discomfort and his availability is not confirmed.
• Atletico Madrid will be without the services of Koke and Cesar Azpilicueta because of their injuries.

Player(s) to watch:

• Kylian Mbappe was the star for Los Blancos in their last UEFA Champions League fixture. Kylian Mbappe struck a hat trick for Real Madrid. Mbappe will have to step up and score some goals here if Real Madrid want to take an advantage in the UCL round of 16 first leg. The French forward can find the spaces in the opponent’s defence and will surely be looking to make full use of it.
• Julian Alvarez has bagged a total of 21 goals in all competitions for Atletico Madrid this season. The Argentine forward also came in as a super sub and helped Atleti win their last fixture, which was against Athletic Club. Alvarez scored the match-winning goal and led Atletico Madrid to the top of the La Liga table.