The second instalment of this Madrid derby takes place at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid best bets
- Atletico Madrid to win – 6/4 with Tote
- Jose Gimenez over 0.5 fouls – 4/5 with SBK
- Julian Alvarez to score any time – 7/4 with Betfred
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid odds
Find the latest match odds for Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid. All odds are provided by our best football betting sites. Odds are subject to change.
Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid predictions
There is generally something unsatisfactory about Champions League knockout ties featuring two teams from the same country. Exceptions exist, though, and the Madrid derby is surely one of them.
The first leg was enthralling even if it was not exactly end-to-end entertainment. Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid scored three excellent goals between them, with the former edging out the latter 2-1.
Overall, it felt like both teams were holding something back. Madrid drew first blood early on through Rodrygo, then sat back and allowed Atletico onto them. Their equaliser, fabulously converted by Julian Alvarez, was fully deserved.
Yet for all that they moved the ball well and took the sting out of the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu crowd, Atletico lacked punch in the final third. Perhaps Diego Simeone regrets the fact his team did not kick on when they were on top. Instead, a fine winner from Brahim Diaz gave Madrid the aggregate advantage once more.
The Champions League is not the only stage on which this duo is duking it out this season. There is also the three-way title tussle in La Liga, involving Barcelona as well as the two titans from the capital.
Neither Madrid nor Atletico were at their best this weekend. The difference is that Carlo Ancelotti’s men still found a way to win, beating Rayo Vallecano 2-1, while Atletico lost to Getafe by the same scoreline. Barcelona’s game was called off, so Madrid are now level on points in top spot and Atletico are one point back.
Ancelotti acknowledged his team’s below par performance and pointed out that many Champions League participants also suffered over the weekend, including Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich and Liverpool, who beat Southampton 3-1 but went 1-0 down in shock circumstances.
Both Atletico and Madrid will have dusted themselves down in time for Wednesday’s showdown at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, where the atmosphere is guaranteed to be electric.
“Matches like this are always in the balance. It’s Atleti, a team of maximum European level,” Ancelotti said last Tuesday. “You can’t imagine you’re going to finish it in the first leg. We’ve taken a small advantage into next week – that was our objective.”

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid betting tips
Will Atletico Madrid or Real Madrid earn local bragging rights and a place in the quarter-finals?
Atletico Madrid to win
“It is always a boost to play at home. Our people push us, give us energy. When it’s time, on Wednesday we will need our people.”
So said Simeone after the first leg. He is not wrong. If this match were to be played on neutral territory, Madrid would be favourites. With Atletico’s home fans behind them, it is a much more even contest.
Free Bet Offers

See all the best free bets and betting offers available over at our dedicated page
18+ gambleaware.org. T&Cs apply
Atletico have demonstrated a more patient style of play this season, evidence of which was provided at the Bernabeu.
They are likely to return to their blood and thunder roots in the return fixture, however, and that should be enough for Atletico to triumph within 90 minutes.
Whether that would be enough to advance to the quarters remains to be seen.
Back Atletico Madrid to win at 6/4 with Tote
Jose Gimenez over 0.5 fouls
Koke is the only Atletico Madrid player who has been at the club longer than Jose Gimenez, who has been part of Simeone’s squad since 2013.
The rugged Uruguayan centre-back has often been called Simeone’s ‘coach on the pitch’, not least because he is not afraid to get his hands dirty.
Gimenez will have his hands full up against Real Madrid’s speedy and skilful frontline, but anyone who has watched him over the years knows he is willing to stop opponents by foul means or fouler.
It is hard to envisage a situation where the 30-year-old avoids being penalised by the referee at least once.
In fact, this is as close to a banker as you can get – and at an attractive price too.
Go for Jose Gimenez to commit over 0.5 fouls at 4/5 SBK
Julian Alvarez to score any time
It took Alvarez a while to get going after his move to Atletico Madrid last summer, but the former Manchester City has been a fantastic addition to the squad at the Metropolitano.
He took his goal brilliantly in the first leg and Real Madrid will have to keep him under close inspection on Wednesday.
Alvarez came off in the 58th minute against Getafe at the weekend so he should be reasonably fresh for the derby.
He has scored 22 goals in 41 games in all competitions this term, a terrific return given he is new to the club and new to La Liga.
Alvarez can move on to 23 strikes for the campaign here.
Choose Julian Alvarez to score any time at 7/4 with Betfred
How to watch Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid
- Location: Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain.
- Date and time: Wednesday 12th March, 8pm.
- How to watch: TNT Sports 3.
Read more about the 2024/25 football season
- Premier League winner predictions
- Premier League top scorer odds
- Premier League relegation odds
- Champions League winner odds
- Championship promotion odds
About the author

Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- GambleAware – www.gambleaware.org
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
Most read in Betting