Real Madrid Form
The club continue their pursuit of leaders Barcelona. A week ago, Real Madrid cruised to a comfortable win over bottom-of-the-table Elche (4:1). That victory was their second in a row and their 10th in the last 12 La Liga matchdays. However, they were unable to close the gap on their rivals, with four points still separating them from top spot. It is worth noting that the home side have failed to keep a clean sheet in five consecutive league matches. Even so, Real Madrid remain the most solid club in the competition, having conceded just 24 goals since the start of the season. As for total goals scored (60), only Barcelona (77) have managed more.
- The team have found the net in 11 of their last 12 La Liga matches.
- Real Madrid's run without a draw in this competition has reached 14 games (11 wins, 3 defeats).
- Five of Real Madrid's last seven La Liga matches have gone over the total.
Potential Real Madrid Lineup (4-4-2)*
Thibaut Courtois – Daniel Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, Fran Garcia – Aurelien Tchouameni, Thiago Pitarch, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde – Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Junior.
Forward Franco Mastantuono has served his suspension. Forward Rodrygo, midfielder Dani Ceballos, defender Ferland Mendy and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will miss the match through injury. Defender Eder Militao is a doubt.
Atletico Madrid Form
Last weekend, the club edged a narrow home derby win over Getafe (1:0). That result made it four straight La Liga victories for Atletico Madrid - their best run since October-November 2025. Villarreal have already collected three points in matchday 29, which has lifted that rival up to third in the standings. Now the away side need at least a point to return to the top three. It is also worth noting that Atletico Madrid are among the most reliable teams in the Spanish top flight. Over the course of the current season, the club have conceded just one more goal than Real Madrid (25).
- At least one team failed to score in seven of the last nine La Liga matches involving Atletico Madrid.
- Atletico Madrid's run without a draw in this competition stands at six matches (4 wins, 2 defeats).
- The club have won with a (+1.5) handicap in 12 of their last 13 La Liga games.
Potential Atletico Madrid Lineup (3-5-2)*
Juan Musso – Marc Pubill, Jose Maria Gimenez, Clement Lenglet – Nahuel Molina, Koke, Obed Vargas, Thiago Almada, Nicolas Gonzalez – Alex Baena, Alexander Sorloth.
Midfielders Pablo Barrios and Rodrigo Mendoza are unavailable due to injury. Goalkeeper Jan Oblak and defender Marc Pubill are doubts.
* Each team is listed with the starting XI from their previous match in this competition.
Referee
Jose Munuera (Spain)
Matches - 13 (La Liga, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) - 51;
Yellow cards per match - 3.9;
Red cards shown - 5;
Fouls per match - 27;
Penalties - 8%.
