Saturday’s La Liga clash at Riyadh Air Metropolitano takes center stage in our Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid prediction and preview. Xabi Alonso is aiming to maintain Real Madrid’s perfect start to the season against Diego Simeone’s struggling Atletico.
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Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid: Preview
The Riyadh Air Metropolitano prepares for one of La Liga’s most fiercely contested encounters as Atletico Madrid welcome Real Madrid in what promises to be a defining moment for both teams’ season ambitions. Los Blancos enter this showdown riding a wave of perfection that has characterized their campaign under the tactical guidance of Xabi Alonso.
Real Madrid’s recent form has been nothing short of spectacular, with Alonso’s side maintaining a flawless record through their opening six La Liga fixtures. This remarkable run culminated in Tuesday’s excellent 4-1 victory over Levante, which showcased the devastating attacking potential that has become their calling card this season. Goals from Vinicius Junior and summer signing Franco Mastantuono were perfectly complemented by a quick-fire double from Kylian Mbappé, who now boasts seven league goals in six games.
The statistical excellence underlying Real Madrid’s success makes for impressive reading. They sit top of La Liga with 18 points from six matches, five points clear of second-placed Barcelona, demonstrating the systematic improvement that has characterized Alonso’s tactical approach. Their perfect record extends beyond domestic competition, having also won their Champions League opener against Marseille.
Real Madrid’s attacking prowess extends beyond goals to underlying metrics that highlight their tactical evolution under Alonso. The Spanish manager, who began his coaching career in Real Madrid’s academy before achieving historic success at Bayer Leverkusen, has transformed Los Blancos into a devastating attacking force while maintaining defensive solidity.
Los Blancos are hunting a seventh straight league win to start the season, a feat that would equal their best start since the 2009-10 campaign. This perfect beginning represents not just tactical excellence but also psychological momentum that could prove decisive in their title aspirations.
Atletico Madrid arrive at their home fortress carrying contrasting emotions following an inconsistent start to their campaign under Diego Simeone. After enduring their most difficult opening to a season in recent memory, Los Rojiblancos enter Saturday’s derby sitting in ninth place with just nine points from six games.
These early struggles have raised questions about Atletico’s tactical identity, with Simeone’s traditionally resolute defensive structure appearing vulnerable. They have already conceded seven times in their six league games, a concerning statistic that represents a significant departure from their historical defensive excellence.
However, Atletico showed glimpses of their potential in Wednesday’s breathtaking 3-2 victory over Rayo Vallecano, requiring two goals inside the last ten minutes to complete a remarkable turnaround. Julian Alvarez’s hat-trick provided the catalyst for this revival, with the Argentine striker demonstrating the clinical finishing that could prove crucial in high-stakes encounters like the Madrid derby.
This victory represented just Atletico’s second win of the season, highlighting the inconsistency that has plagued their campaign. Their record of two wins, three draws, and one defeat from six matches tells the story of a team searching for the tactical cohesion that once made them Spain’s most defensively organized side.
While Real Madrid have excelled in attack, they face a team desperate to restore their defensive reputation against the capital’s most potent attacking force. The battle between Real’s free-flowing creativity and Atletico’s traditional defensive discipline promises tactical intrigue that could define both teams’ season trajectory.
Kylian Mbappé continues to spearhead Real Madrid’s attacking threat as the league’s most prolific scorer with nine goals in seven appearances across all competitions. His record of seven league goals from six appearances demonstrates the clinical efficiency that has characterized his adaptation to Alonso’s tactical system.
Mbappé’s recent performances, including his quick-fire double against Levante featuring an impudent Panenka penalty, have showcased the confidence and form that make him Real’s most dangerous weapon. His pace, movement, and finishing ability could prove decisive against Atletico’s traditionally compact defensive structure.
Julian Alvarez will aim to match Mbappé’s impact, having already demonstrated his ability to perform in crucial moments with his hat-trick against Rayo Vallecano. The Argentine striker, who has scored four goals in six La Liga appearances this season, possesses the clinical finishing and intelligent movement that could trouble Real’s defense.
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid: Head-to-Head
The recent history between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid reveals a fascinating psychological dynamic that has emerged in recent years, with the traditional power balance showing signs of significant shift. Each of the last three league meetings has ended in 1-1 draws, creating an unusual pattern of equilibrium in a fixture historically dominated by Real Madrid’s superior resources.
This sequence of identical results represents Real Madrid’s longest winless streak against their city rivals in La Liga since 2013-14, when Atletico’s title-winning campaign included memorable victories against their illustrious neighbors. The psychological impact of these results has been significant, with Atletico demonstrating they can compete tactically against Real despite recent struggles elsewhere.
The broader historical context reveals Real Madrid’s overwhelming dominance across 240 official meetings, with Los Blancos recording 117 victories compared to Atletico’s 60 wins and 63 draws. However, the recent trend suggests Atletico have discovered tactical solutions to neutralize Real’s traditional superiority.
Atletico’s defensive resilience at home against Real Madrid has become increasingly pronounced, with Los Rojiblancos unbeaten in their last five La Liga meetings since September 2022. This represents their longest unbeaten streak against Real in the league since the early 1990s, highlighting the tactical evolution Diego Simeone has achieved.
The last time Real Madrid beat Atletico in La Liga was over three years ago, with Federico Valverde scoring the decisive goal in a 2-1 away victory on September 18, 2022. This extended winless run emphasizes the psychological barriers Real must overcome to reassert their historical dominance.
Should Real Madrid secure victory on Saturday, they would break their longest winless streak against Atletico in recent memory and demonstrate that their perfect start to the season carries genuine substance. The tactical battle between Alonso’s attacking philosophy and Simeone’s defensive discipline promises to determine whether Real can overcome this historical hurdle.
Recent Head-to-Head Record (Last 5 La Liga Meetings)
| Date | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| February 8, 2025 | Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid | Santiago Bernabéu |
| September 29, 2024 | Atletico Madrid 1-1 Real Madrid | Riyadh Air Metropolitano |
| February 4, 2024 | Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid | Santiago Bernabéu |
| September 24, 2023 | Atletico Madrid 3-1 Real Madrid | Riyadh Air Metropolitano |
| February 25, 2023 | Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid | Santiago Bernabéu |
Overall Head-to-Head Statistics
| Statistic | Real Madrid | Atletico Madrid | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Matches | 117 wins | 60 wins | 63 |
| Win Percentage | 48.8% | 25.0% | 26.2% |
| Last 5 Meetings | 0 wins | 1 win | 4 draws |
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid: Team News and Predicted Lineup
Atletico Madrid – Team News
Diego Simeone faces significant selection challenges as he prepares for arguably Atletico’s most important fixture of the season. The fitness concerns surrounding several key players continue to limit his tactical options, with José María Giménez, Johnny Cardoso, Álex Baena, and Thiago Almada all remaining on the treatment table through various injuries.
Giménez’s continued absence represents a significant blow to Atletico’s defensive structure, forcing Simeone to rely on alternative central defensive partnerships. The Uruguayan’s leadership and defensive experience would have been crucial against Real Madrid’s potent attacking threat.
Alex Baena’s availability remains uncertain after the Spain international’s recovery from both muscular injury and appendicitis surgery. While he returned to the bench against Rayo Vallecano, it appears too soon for the attacker to feature from the start, meaning he is likely to again be among the substitutes.
The positive news for Atletico centers around Alexander Sorloth’s return to availability after serving his suspension. The Norwegian striker’s physical presence and aerial ability could prove crucial against Real Madrid’s defense, particularly from set-piece situations where Atletico traditionally excel.
Julian Alvarez’s excellent form since his hat-trick heroics against Rayo Vallecano has secured his starting position, with the Argentine striker bringing pace and clinical finishing to Atletico’s attack. His four goals in six La Liga appearances demonstrate the consistency that could prove decisive in such a crucial fixture.
Simeone’s tactical selections continue to be difficult to forecast as he searches for the winning formula that has eluded his team this season. Veterans Koke and Antoine Griezmann have forced their way back into the starting lineup in recent weeks, providing experience and tactical understanding that could prove valuable.
The defensive structure remains uncertain, with Simeone having deployed a very defensive back five against Rayo Vallecano in midweek. However, the attacking threat posed by Real Madrid may necessitate additional attacking options, with Nico González or Giuliano Simeone the most likely candidates to provide additional creativity.
Atletico Madrid – Predicted XI (3-5-2):
- Goalkeeper: Oblak
- Defenders: Le Normand, Lenglet, Hancko
- Midfielders: Llorente, Koke, Gallagher, Barrios, González
- Forwards: Alvarez, Griezmann
Real Madrid – Team News
Xabi Alonso confronts his selection decisions from a position of strength, with Real Madrid’s squad largely healthy despite several notable absences through injury. The headline concern remains Trent Alexander-Arnold’s continued absence due to the hamstring injury sustained just minutes into Los Blancos’ Champions League opener against Marseille.
The former Liverpool defender’s injury was initially expected to sideline him for between six and eight weeks, meaning he still has approximately a month remaining on the sidelines. At best, Alexander-Arnold may be targeting a return to action in time for El Clasico at the end of October, leaving Real without their primary right-back option for this crucial derby.
Antonio Rüdiger and Ferland Mendy represent longer-term absentees who remain unavailable for Saturday’s contest. Their continued absence forces Alonso to rely on alternative defensive options, though the squad depth available provides multiple tactical solutions.
The encouraging news for Real Madrid centers around the return to fitness of several key players who have completed their recovery from injury layoffs. Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga have both featured from the bench in recent weeks, gradually building their match fitness after extended periods away from action.
Alonso’s careful management of Bellingham’s fitness reflects the importance of the English midfielder to Real’s tactical system. Having only recently recovered from shoulder surgery, Bellingham may have to accept a substitute role initially, allowing Arda Güler to maintain his position in the number 10 role.
Dean Huijsen’s return at Levante on Tuesday, having served a one-match suspension, provides additional defensive cover. The young center-back’s availability gives Alonso multiple options in central defense, particularly important given the injury concerns elsewhere.
Franco Mastantuono has emerged as an Alonso favorite from day one, starting five of the last six matches and scoring his first goal for the club in the midweek victory over Levante. The young Argentine’s technical ability and creative threat have made him an integral part of Real’s attacking structure.
Young striker Endrick should be involved with the squad again after returning to the substitutes’ bench in recent weeks, providing additional attacking options for Alonso to consider during the match.
Real Madrid – Predicted XI (4-3-3)
- Goalkeeper: Courtois
- Defenders: Carvajal, Huijsen, Militão, Carreras
- Midfielders: Güler, Tchouaméni, Valverde
- Forwards: Mastantuono, Mbappé, Vinícius
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid: Prediction
This encounter represents a fascinating tactical battle between contrasting philosophies and current form trajectories. Real Madrid’s perfect start under Xabi Alonso meets Atletico Madrid’s search for consistency and defensive solidity in what promises to be a defining moment for both teams’ season ambitions.
Real Madrid’s individual quality remains superior in most positions, with players capable of creating moments of brilliance that can decide tight encounters. Mbappé’s exceptional scoring rate and Vinícius’s creative threat make them the most likely match-winners, though Atletico’s defensive organization should limit clear opportunities through their traditional disciplined structure.
The tactical battle between Alonso’s attacking fluidity and Simeone’s defensive discipline will likely determine the outcome. Real Madrid’s success will depend on breaking down Atletico’s compact defensive structure while maintaining defensive stability against Los Rojiblancos’ counter-attacking threat.
Atletico’s home advantage cannot be understated, particularly given their recent unbeaten record against Real Madrid at the Metropolitano. The combination of a passionate crowd and desperate need for points creates an intimidating environment that could unsettle Real’s perfect rhythm.
However, Real Madrid’s superior attacking options and current momentum make them slight favorites despite the challenging venue. Their ability to grind out victories when not at their best has characterized their perfect start, suggesting they possess the mental strength necessary for such crucial encounters.
The recent pattern of 1-1 draws in this fixture suggests another tight encounter with few clear chances, though individual moments of quality could break the deadlock. Both managers’ tactical flexibility and in-game adjustments may prove crucial in determining the final outcome.
Atletico’s desperate need for points to revive their season adds extra motivation, while Real’s opportunity to extend their perfect record provides equally compelling incentives. The psychological dynamics of this rivalry, combined with the current form disparity, create the perfect conditions for a memorable encounter.
Prediction: Atletico Madrid 1-2 Real Madrid
When and Where to Watch Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid in India? Broadcast and Streaming Details
Indian football fans can catch the Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid La Liga clash live on Saturday, September 27, 2025, with kick-off scheduled for 7:45 PM IST at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in Madrid. This season marks a significant change in La Liga broadcasting for Indian viewers.
The La Liga 2025-26 matches will all be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website in India. There will be no television broadcasts of the games. For the first time, FanCode holds the exclusive streaming rights to La Liga in India. All 380 matches of the season will be available live on the FanCode app and website, as well as through OTTplay Premium.
Football fans across India will be able to access the content on FanCode’s mobile app (Android & iOS), TV app (Android TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Jio STB, Samsung TV, LG TV), and website, with all matches streamed in HD for a seamless viewing experience. FanCode has signed a five-year exclusive broadcast deal with LaLiga to show live matches from the Spanish Primera Division in India from 2025-26 to 2029-30.
This heavyweight La Liga encounter between the capital city rivals promises to be a tactical masterclass with significant implications for the championship race, making it essential viewing for Indian football enthusiasts who can enjoy comprehensive coverage through FanCode’s multi-platform approach.
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FAQs
When and where is the Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid match?
The La Liga fixture takes place on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 4:15 PM CEST (3:15 PM BST, 10:15 AM EST) at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in Madrid, Spain.
How can Indian fans watch the match?
Live coverage is available on FanCode website and app for all users. International viewers can watch on ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes (USA), TSN+ (Canada), and Premier Sports (UK).
What’s the head-to-head record between these teams?
Real Madrid hold the historical advantage with 117 wins from 240 meetings compared to Atletico’s 60 victories and 63 draws. However, each of the last three league derbies has finished 1-1, with Atletico unbeaten in their last five La Liga meetings with Real since September 2022.
Which key players are injured for both teams?
Atletico Madrid miss José María Giménez, Johnny Cardoso, Álex Baena, and Thiago Almada through injury. Real Madrid are without Trent Alexander-Arnold (hamstring), Antonio Rüdiger (muscular), and Ferland Mendy (thigh) for extended periods.
What records could be achieved in this match?
Real Madrid could extend their perfect start to seven wins, equaling their best start since 2009-10. Atletico could extend their unbeaten home streak against Real to six games if they avoid defeat. A Real Madrid victory would end their longest winless streak against Atletico since 2013-14.
