Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid Prediction - All Set For The Derbi Madrileño - Part II

Next Wednesday, 22nd of April 2015, the current European and World champions, Real Madrid, will measure forces with their neighbours and fierce rivals of Atlético Madrid at the emblematic Santiago Bernabéu for the second leg of the Quarter-finals stage of the UEFA Champions League.

After last week’s goalless draw at Vicente Calderon, Real Madrid have, in theory, everything in their favour to grant a place in the semi-finals stage of the competition. One should emphasize “in theory”, because playing against Atléti is never easy and because Los Blancos have not yet won any of the seven matches they played against them so far this season. In fact, it was a heavy 4-0 defeat at Vicente Calderon back in February that initiated a poor streak of results for Real Madrid, something that cost them the first place at La Liga’s table.

It is somehow fair to say that Real Madrid were stronger on the first-leg match last week, but despite the amount of goal chances they had, they failed to overcome Atlético’s extremely inspired goalkeeper, Jan Oblak.

Last Saturday, Real Madrid experienced some difficulty in defeating a brave Málaga side at Bernabeu but a late goal from the usual suspect, Cristiano Ronaldo, helped them breathe more easily.

For next Wednesday’s match, Carlo Ancelotti will most certainly not be able to rely on the contribution of the  talented Croatian midfielder Luka Modric, who was once again struck by an injury during last weekend’s clash against Málaga.

As for Atlético, although it is probably fair to say that they are not as strong as they were last season, they are still a very solid team that will do everything within their reach to win the trophy that escaped them in Lisbon last year, precisely against their upcoming opponents, Real Madrid.

Last Saturday, Diego Simeone’s boys granted an important win at Riazor over Deportivo La Coruña, thanks to two goals from the devilish Antoine Griezmann.

It is difficult to name any favourites for next Wednesday’s match, but since they are playing at home in front of their enthusiastic legion of fans, it is fair to say that Real Madrid are slightly favourites to win the match.

Real Madrid

Stats: W-4 L-0 D-1

Recent Form - WDWWW

Atlético Madrid

Stats: W-3 L-0 D-2

Recent Form - WDDWW

Possible Line-ups

Real Madrid (4-3-3) – Casillas - Carvajal - Pepe - Sergio Ramos - Coentrão - Kroos - Isco - James Rodriguez - Ronaldo - Bale - Benzema

Atlético Madrid (4-4-2) - Oblak - Juanfran - Godin - Miranda - Gamez - Gabi - Tiago - Koke - Turan - Griezmann - Mandzukic

Injury List / Suspended Players

Real Madrid

Luka Modric (inj)

Gareth Bale (inj) (in doubt)

Marcelo (sus)

Atlético Madrid

Mario Suarez (sus)

Head-to-head matches:

Top Players:

Real Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo

Gareth Bale

Karim Benzema

Atlético Madrid

Antoine Griezmann

Gabi

Mario Mandzukic

Predictable Goal Scorers:

Real Madrid

1. Cristiano Ronaldo
2. James Rodriguez
3. Karim Benzema

Atlético Madrid

1. Antoine Griezmann
2. Mario Mandzukic
3. Arda Turan

Half-Time Score

Real Madrid 1 Atlético Madrid 1

Full-Time Score

Real Madrid 1 Atlético Madrid 1