The biggest match of the La Liga season so far will take place on Saturday, 8 February when Real Madrid welcome their neighbours, Atletico Madrid, to the Santiago Bernabeu.
The second Madrid derby of the season is a true six-pointer with both teams currently occupying the top two positions in the league table.
A win for the hosts would see them move four points clear of Atletico while a win for the visitors would see them leapfrog Los Blancos into top spot.
How the bookies view it: Real Madrid start as favourites
Although just one point separates the two teams in the league table, Real Madrid start the match as odds-on favourites with most top bookmakers. Boylesports have priced Real Madrid at 3/4 to get the job done, while an Atletico Madrid win has been priced at 14/5. The draw, which would be the ideal result for Barcelona, has been priced at 5/2.
Recent head-to-head: Expect a draw
The price of 5/2 on the draw looks very appealing when you consider the recent head-to-head results in matches between these two clubs. Each of the last four Madrid derbies have been all square after 90 minutes, including the 1-1 draw earlier this season at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
Players to watch: A well-rested Mbappe to make his mark
It took Kylian Mbappe a little while to get going for Real Madrid but since the turn of the year, the Frenchman has found his stride and is now very much a man to be feared in La Liga.
Mbappe has scored eight goals in his last seven appearances for Real Madrid and after being rested last time out against Leganes, he will be ready and raring to go ahead of what could be a season-defining week for the club with a Champions League playoff against Man City to come after the Madrid derby.
There is no greater test for a forward in Spanish football than facing Diego Simeone's defence so Mbappe will have his hands full on Saturday. Atletico have the best defensive record in Spain but they are missing Robin Le Normand for this one so Mbappe will feel he has a golden opportunity to exploit a makeshift backfour.
Predicted line-ups
Jude Bellingham is a doubt for Real Madrid but he is expected to prove his fitness in the coming days. Eduardo Camavinga is also a doubt while four defenders – Rudiger, Alaba, Militao and Carvajal – are all certain to miss out. Robin Le Normand misses out for Atletico due to suspension.
Real Madrid: Courtois – Mendy, Asencio, Tchouameni, Vazquez – Valverde, Camavinga, Bellingham – Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr
Atletico Madrid: Oblak – Llorente, Gimenez, Witsel, Azpilicueta – Corra, Koke, Lino, Gallagher – Griezmann, Alvarez
Anything else catch the eye?
Although Atletico Madrid are more famed for shutting up shop in big matches, that is rarely the case when they take on Real Madrid. In fact, both teams have got on the scoresheet in each of the last eight Madrid derbies. Both teams to score again on Saturday night has been priced at 8/13 by Boylesports.
This La Liga match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will be played on Feb 8, 2025 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
