Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will contest the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday night.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side had to come through a play-off tie with Man City to continue their title defence, while Atleti bypassed that round after securing a top-eight finish in the league phase.
This all-Madrid showdown comes within an intriguing subplot as both rivals are currently involved in a thrilling three-way fight for the La Liga title alongside Barcelona.
Last time out, Los Blancos stumbled in the title race, losing 2-1 away at Real Betis, in a game where our man Kevin Mac delivered a clean sweep of winners.
As for Atletico Madrid, they fulfilled their end of the bargain with a narrow 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday night, moving above their city rivals as a result.
Now the two capital foes will switch their attention towards their continental commitments when they go toe-to-toe in the Bernabeu on Tuesday night.
How the bookies view it: Los Blancos to draw first blood
The bookmakers’ odds suggest that Real Madrid will secure a first leg lead on Tuesday night, with a home win odds-on at 20/23 on Boylesports.
Atletico Madrid will make the short trip across town as big outsiders at 3/1 on Boylesports, while the draw has been priced up at 12/5 with the same firm.
Head to head: Another stalemate in store?
The two teams have already locked horns on two occasions in La Liga this season, with both of those games ending 1-1. The same scoreline on Tuesday night can be backed at 11/2 on Boylesports.
Players to watch: Mbappe to make his mark?
Kylian Mbappe was the star of the show against Man City during the second leg of last month’s play-off tie, scoring a superb hat-trick in a 3-1 victory. The Real Madrid forward is 19/20 on UniBet for either a goal or an assist during this last-16 first leg tie.
Julian Alvarez justified my faith in him to score against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday night. The Atletico Madrid ace stands out for a minimum of one shot on target on Tuesday night at 5/6.
Predicted line-ups
After collecting his third yellow card of the campaign in this season’s Champions League, Jude Bellingham will serve a one-match suspension on Tuesday night.
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone will be unable to call upon the services of injured duo Cesar Azpilicueta and Koke for this week’s first leg showdown.
Real Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Rudiger, Asencio, Mendy; Tchouameni, Camavinga; Rodrygo, Diaz, Vinicius; Mbappe
Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Molina, Le Normand, Gimenez, Galan; Llorente, De Paul, Barrios, Lino; Griezmann, Alvarez
Anything else catch the eye?
Given that first leg ties can often be cagey affairs, I’m happy to propose a play on under 2.5 goals at 10/11 on Boylesports.
This bet would have paid out in four of the last five La Liga meetings between the pair, including each of this season’s two derbies.
In fact, there have been two match goals or fewer in a sizable 17 of Atletico Madrid’s 26 La Liga matches this season, and that only adds to the appeal of siding with the same selection on Tuesday night.
Having also landed in each of this season’s two dust-up’s between the duo, the 5/6 for no goal to be scored before the 29th minute also looks worthy of interest.
This UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will be played on 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.
