Real Madrid
- Alvaro Arbeloa has been a masterclass in how to add a new dimension to a club like Real Madrid since being appointed as head coach in January 2026.
- His team’s 2025-26 season has been a tale of two halves with Los Blancos picking up from where they left off in Carlo Ancelotti’s final season in the first half and then going up a level after the winter break.
- The only constant has been Kylian Mbappe’s talismanic presence and ability to score the goals that matter most.
- The Frenchman has 23 goals in 23 LaLiga appearances.
Atletico Madrid
- Real Madrid have won three of their last five games, beating Celta Vigo 2-1 away and Elche 4-1 at home, while Atleti have won four of their last five with back-to-back home wins over Real Sociedad and Getafe on their record.
- Atleti are a compact team that sets traps and springs the counter-attack and are nowhere near as fluid in possession as Real Madrid, who are more about building up from the back and using the width and pace of their wide players to overpower opponents.
- Alexander Soerloth has been the main man for Atletico Madrid this season, scoring 10 goals in 27 appearances, including three in his last five LaLiga games.
- Real Madrid are second in the LaLiga 2025/2026 table with 66 points from 28 games while Atletico Madrid are third with 57 from the same number of matches.
- Los Colchoneros have had a less convincing away record than at home, winning four and losing four of 13 away trips this term.
- They have conceded only 13 goals in those 13 games, an average of 1.00 goals against per game on the road.
Head-to-Head
- Real Madrid have won three of the last five meetings between the clubs, losing once and drawing once.
- Real Madrid have won 12 of their 14 home games in LaLiga, losing only two.
Key Players
- The only constant has been Kylian Mbappe’s talismanic presence and ability to score the goals that matter most.
- The Frenchman has 23 goals in 23 LaLiga appearances.
- Alexander Soerloth has been the main man for Atletico Madrid this season, scoring 10 goals in 27 appearances, including three in his last five LaLiga games.
- Matteo Ruggeri has been an interesting addition in the last few games, providing three assists in Atleti’s last five and the Italian could be the catalyst of their play again on Sunday.
Betting Insights
They are 1.9 favorites with the sportsbooks to take the win on Sunday and 1.53 to do so with both teams to score.
Prediction
- Real Madrid are a high-scoring side, netting 33 times in 14 home LaLiga games, and can break the Atleti defense at some point in what should be a tense game.
- Matteo Ruggeri could be the catalyst for Atletico Madrid if the Italian produces the attacking returns he showed in recent matches.
