- Real Madrid are playing better football than Atletico, having won four and lost one of their last five games.
- Atletico Madrid are coming into the game after losing their last two matches, a 3-0 away defeat to Athletic Bilbao in LaLiga followed by a 2-1 loss at Liverpool in the Champions League.
- Real Madrid have won one and lost one of their two away matches in LaLiga 2026/2027, scoring two goals on the road.
Rivalry could lead to close encounter
Los Colchoneros and Los Blancos clash in El Derbi madrileño on Sunday with local bragging rights and momentum in the Spanish capital up for grabs.
Both clubs will enter the game in mixed form, although Real Madrid appear to be on a better roll, having won their last two games - a 2-1 Champions League victory over Internazionale Milano followed by a 4-1 home win against Rayo Vallecano.
Jose Mourinho has only been in charge at the Bernabeu since July 2026, but has clearly stamped his authority on the club and given Los Blancos the compact spacing that suits his pragmatic style.
Oscar Fernandez has had the stability of five years in charge at Atletico, which has allowed his side to develop a clear identity of their own. They are organised, press selectively and can be dangerous from wide areas where their pace and energy can make life difficult for opponents on the transition.
Mbappe’s class can make the difference
Both clubs have similar structures and will match up well against each other in what could be a chess match of a fixture. However, the fact that Real Madrid can break out of their structure at pace to hit opponents on the counter should give them the sharpest teeth.
The visitors are a touch more organised than Atletico right now and we'll take the Madrid club to win in a game that could be close because of the nature of the fixture. The odds seem a little high for Los Blancos, who are 97/100 favourites to beat an Atletico side that are 23/10.
The draw is an obvious runner at 29/10, but an interesting alternative is to take both teams to score at 9/20, which covers the possibility that this game could be more open than usual because of the derby nature and the skill in both sides' front lines.
Kylian Mbappe remains the star of the show for Los Blancos, who have scored 12 goals in their last five matches, with the French superstar finding the back of the net five times.
Alejandro Baena has been Atletico's sharpest edge this season, scoring three of his side's LaLiga goals in four appearances, but this match will be all about Mbappe.
Real Madrid have won four of the last five meetings between these two clubs with Atletico taking one of the other games. Five months ago, Real ran out 3-2 winners at home in their one meeting in LaLiga 2025/2026.
Atletico have won and drawn one each from their two home fixtures in the league this season, averaging 2.00 goals scored and 1.00 conceded. That looks like it could be a template for Sunday's clash in Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
