Having only faced off against one another a week ago in the Supercopa de Espana, Atletico Madrid and city rivals Real Madrid will lock horns again in the Copa del Rey last 16.
Real had the last laugh in their most recent meeting, beating Atletico 5-3 after extra-time in their Super Cup semi-final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Carlo Ancelotti’s side would go on to lift the trophy, beating their other fierce foes Barcelona 4-1 in the final, largely thanks to Vinicius Junior’s first-half hat-trick.
While Real have been in superb form this season, they have been beaten by Atletico – their only loss in all competitions. Diego Simeone’s men won 3-1 on that occasion and, much like Thursday’s cup meeting will, it took place at the Wanda Metropolitano,
Here is your guide to another Madrid derby in the Copa del Rey last 16.
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid H2H record (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
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Simeone will be happy with the options he has available to him, with no major fresh injury concerns heading into the derby. One player that will definitely be out, though, is Reinildo, the defender currently away with Mozambique at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Pablo Barrios is also a doubt in central midfield having not played since late November, but he could return for Real’s visit. Thomas Lemar, Vitolo and Marcos Paulo are long-term absentees.
Atletico Madrid predicted lineup (3-5-2): Oblak; Witsel, Gimenez, Hermoso; Llorente, De Paul, Koke, Saul, Lino; Morata, Griezmann.
Ancelotti also has no significant concerns since the Supercopa de Espana final, although Aurelien Tchouameni has missed a recent training session with a minor injury. The Frenchman may not be risked against Atletico, but is likely available for the trip across Madrid.
However, the Italian coach has some important absentees in his squad, with the trio of Eder Militao, David Alaba and Thibaut Courtois all still out for the foreseeable future with ACL injuries.
Lucas Vazquez is also out with a thigh problem, while Ancelotti may be tempted to rotate given Real’s Supercopa de Espana exploits.
Real Madrid predicted lineup (4-3-1-2): Lunin; Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Camavinga, Kroos; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr.
As long as Real Madrid are not too hungover from their Super Cup celebrations, then they will likely head to the Wanda Metropolitano as slight favourites. After all, they have lost just one game this season, and have picked up victories in 18 of their last 21 matches in all competitions.
While Atletico have the tools to hurt Real, as was demonstrated in the thrilling battle between the pair in Saudi Arabia a week ago, Ancelotti’s men should edge proceedings if they can perform close to their best, especially given the form of Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior.
Prediction: Atletico Madrid 1-2 Real Madrid
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