Prediction: Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Luckster

In what is a heavyweight Copa del Rey showdown on Thursday night, Atletico Madrid will welcome Los Blancos to the Metropolitano Stadium.

Atletico Madrid

Starting with the hosts, while Atletico Madrid might have opened up the 2023/24 campaign with their sights set on mounting a genuine La Liga title charge, Diego Simeone’s men have the feel of a squad seeking some crucial stability. Suffering Super Cup heartbreak at the hands of Los Blancos last week as they eventually fell to a thrilling 5-3 loss, the Spanish giants have now recorded just a pair of wins from any of their previous six domestic appearances across all fronts. Now facing what appears to be a real battle in their bid to punch another top-four finish in 2024, Atletico have also continued to show some rather glaring defensive issues. Opening the New Year with an action-packed 4-3 defeat at the hands of a high-flying Girona, Simeone’s men have remarkably recorded just a single La Liga clean sheet since a 1-0 win against Mallorca back on November 25th.

Team News

All still dealing with respective injury issues, Atletico Madrid will be unable to call upon the quartet of Memphis Depay, Thomas Lemar, Pablo Barrios and Vitolo. Despite struggling to find much stability in the Spanish capital, former Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta could be handed a recall here.

Notching 12 La Liga strikes in his 18 appearances this season, one-time Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata will spearhead Simeone’s charge here. Likewise, bagging four goals in his last seven outings, French star Antoine Griezmann will partner Morata in the final third.

Real Madrid

As for the visitors, while Real Madrid might have finished 10 points adrift of defending their La Liga crown last season, Los Blancos are enjoying a real domestic flurry this time around. Making more history over the weekend as they were crowned Super Cup champions thanks to a 4-1 romp against historic rivals Barcelona, Carlo Ancelotti’s side are certainly riding a major wave of momentum. Although the European icons might be sat one-point adrift of Girona at the top of the La Liga table, Wednesday’s guests have lost just one of their 28 appearances across all competitions this season. Breezing their way to the Champions League knockout stage last month, the one-time Everton boss should be smelling the chance to make another statement here. Landing that remarkable 5-3 win when they met Atletico out in the Middle East last week, Ancelotti will be calling on a repeat display.

Team News

All still dealing with respective long-term injury issues, Real Madrid will once again be unable to call upon Eder Militao, David Alaba and former Chelsea shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois on Thursday night. Likewise, Spanish international Lucas Vazquez is not expected to feature.

Bagging a famous Super Cup hat-trick against Barcelona last weekend, Brazilian talisman Vinicius Junior will once again have a leading role to play here. Breaking a string of records since arriving in the Spanish capital, England international Jude Bellingham will join Vinicius in attack.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid met for their Super Cup semi-final clash last week, Los Blancos picked up a 5-3 victory in the Middle East.
• Real Madrid have lost just one of their 28 appearances across all competitions this season.
• Atletico Madrid have recorded just a single win from their last six showdowns against La Liga opposition.
• Likewise, Thursday’s hosts have recorded just a single top-flight clean sheet since back on November 25th.
• Each of the last five meetings between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

With the two Madrid rivals playing out a Super Cup eight-goal thriller last week, neutrals will be hoping for a repeat display here. Although Los Blancos might be smelling the chance to make another statement on Thursday night, chances could come thick and fast at the Metropolitano Stadium. It should be highlighted, with all of the last five meetings between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid finishing with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome in midweek.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Luckster