The stage is set in Jeddah as Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid renew their fierce rivalry with a place in the Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona up for grabs, MySportDab Reports.
This will be the 242nd meeting between the Madrid neighbors, and emotions are expected to run high as both sides chase silverware early in the year.
The derby heads to Saudi Arabia just four months after Atlético humiliated their rivals with a stunning 5–2 victory at the Metropolitano. Diego Simeone’s men dominated that encounter from start to finish, leaving Real Madrid bruised and searching for answers. That result still lingers, and Los Blancos arrive desperate for redemption.
For Real Madrid, this clash carries added pressure. Recent inconsistencies have put Xabi Alonso under scrutiny, and an early exit from the Spanish Super Cup would only intensify the noise surrounding his future.
Atlético, meanwhile, see an opportunity to land another psychological blow against their rivals and move one step closer to a trophy they have only won twice, most recently in 2014.
Atlético Madrid vs Real Madrid Form Analysis
Atlético have had the upper hand in recent meetings, winning two of the last five clashes, with two ending level. Their confidence will be boosted by September’s emphatic derby win, even if their most recent outing ended in a 1–1 draw against Real Sociedad.
Real Madrid arrive on the back of a convincing 5–1 victory over Real Betis, a result that restored belief after mixed performances in December. While Atlético have shown resilience across competitions, Los Blancos appear to be gathering momentum at the right time.
Team Analysis
Atlético Madrid will be without Clément Lenglet and Nicolás González due to injury, while Pablo Barrios faces a late fitness test after a calf problem. José María Giménez is expected to return in defense, a timely boost for Simeone’s side, with Julián Álvarez leading the attack.
Real Madrid must cope without Kylian Mbappé, Éder Militão and Brahim Díaz. Gonzalo García is likely to deputise up front, while Dean Huijsen could partner Antonio Rüdiger at the back.
Prediction
Derbies between these two sides are rarely straightforward, but Real Madrid’s renewed confidence and hunger for revenge could prove decisive. Atlético will compete fiercely, yet Los Blancos may just edge it.
Prediction: Atlético Madrid 1–2 Real Madrid
