Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Champions League match.
The highlight of Tuesday’s European fixtures is the Madrid derby, as Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid face off in the Champions League. The two sides recently met in La Liga, drawing 1:1, and this encounter at the Bernabéu is expected to be another cautious affair, with both teams keeping an eye on the second leg at the Metropolitano.
Real Madrid
Despite welcoming back some defensive reinforcements, Real Madrid still have significant squad issues. Their 1:2 defeat to Real Betis on Saturday ended a seven-match winning streak, and their midfield looked unbalanced without Jude Bellingham, Dani Ceballos, and Fede Valverde. The absence of key midfielders was felt, as Real Madrid managed just two shots on target in Seville. Valverde might return, but he is unlikely to last the full 90 minutes, prompting Carlo Ancelotti to adopt a more cautious approach.
Atletico Madrid
Atletico capitalised on their rivals’ slip-up and moved above Real Madrid in La Liga standings, now trailing only Barcelona (57 points). Their 4:4 thriller against Barcelona showcased their fighting spirit, as they came back from two goals down late in the game. However, Atletico Madrid remain one of La Liga’s most defensively solid teams, as evidenced by their 1:0 victory over Athletic Bilbao—their 17th match out of 26 in La Liga to feature under 2.5 goals.
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid Prediction
The last three Madrid derbies have all finished 1:1, and given the high stakes, this match is unlikely to be an open contest. With Real Madrid missing creativity in midfield and Atletico Madrid’s defensive discipline, another low-scoring affair is the most probable outcome.
