The latest instalment of the Madrid derby takes place at the Santiago Bernabeu on Thursday night when Real Madrid play host to rivals Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey.
Diego Simeone's side will be seeking revenge after suffering a 2-1 La Liga defeat against Los Blancos at the Wanda Metropolitano in September.
Match preview
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After losing out to El Clasico rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final just under two weeks ago, Real Madrid have since responded with back-to-back away victories over Villarreal and Athletic Bilbao.
Los Blancos came from two goals down at half time to beat Villarreal 3-2 in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey – setting up Thursday's tie with Atletico – before securing a 2-0 victory in La Liga against Bilbao on Sunday, courtesy of strikes either side of half time from Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos.
While closing the three-point gap to league leaders Barcelona will be high on Carlo Ancelotti's agenda, his Real Madrid side now turn their attention back to the Copa de Rey, with the Spanish giants seeking to win the competition for the first time since 2013-14.
Indeed, Los Blancos have failed to even reach the Copa del Rey final over the last eight years and have been eliminated at the quarter-final stage on four occasions during this period, including a 1-0 loss to Bilbao last season.
Having played each of their last seven matches away from home across all competitions, Real Madrid will welcome Thursday's return to the Bernabeu, where they are unbeaten in 10 games so far this campaign, albeit keeping only one clean sheet during this run.
Los Blancos have already beaten Atletico in La Liga this season, the aforementioned 2-1 away win four months ago, while they have also won each of their last four home meetings against them without conceding, so Ancelotti and co should be confident of keeping their fierce rivals quiet on Thursday.
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Atletico Madrid experienced an indifferent start to the New Year after winning, drawing and losing in each of their first three games, but they have since bounced back by beating Levante and Real Valladolid without reply.
Los Colchoneros secured a 2-0 away win over Levante in the last 16 of the Copa de Rey, before claiming maximum points in La Liga with a 3-0 home victory against Valladolid last weekend, with Alvaro Morata, Antoine Griezmann and Mario Hermoso all on the scoresheet within the first 28 minutes.
Hopes of a title charge appear to be over for Diego Simeone's side, who sit in fourth place and 13 points behind Barcelona at the summit having played a game more, and they are instead facing a battle to qualify for the top four as they currently sit level on points with Villarreal in fifth place.
Atletico will now endeavour to build on their recent victories with a triumph in the Madrid derby, a fixture in which they have beaten rivals Real only twice in their last 13 competitive meetings across all competitions.
Like Real, Atletico have also endured a long drought without winning the Copa del Rey, last getting their hands on the trophy in the 2012-13 campaign. Los Colchoneros have been eliminated on three occasions at the quarter-final stage over the last nine years, while they suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to third-tier outfit Cornella in the second round last season.
Atletico have favoured playing away from home in recent weeks, winning four and drawing one of their last five matches on the road, and they will hope to catch Real on an off day on Thursday as they bid to reach the Copa del Rey semi-finals for the first time in six years.
Team News
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Real Madrid quartet Aurelien Tchouameni (calf), Dani Carvajal (muscle), Eden Hazard and Lucas Vazquez (both ankle) are all unavailable for selection as they continue to recover from injury.
However, Los Blancos have been boosted by the return of Austria international David Alaba, with Ancelotti confirming that the defender "will play" against Atletico after recovering from a calf problem.
Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, who both began as substitutes last time out, are expected to be recalled to centre-midfield, while Eduardo Camavinga is set to complete the midfield three as Tchouameni continues his recovery from injury.
Marco Asensio started on the right flank against Bilbao, but his place could come under threat from either Federico Valverde or Rodrygo, while Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema are set to retain their places in attack.
As for Atletico, Stefan Savic and Sergio Reguilon are both available to return from suspension and will be in contention to start at centre-back and left-back respectively.
However, central defender Jose Gimenez, who has missed the last three matches with a muscle problem, remains doubtful and is unlikely to be thrown straight back into the first XI if he is deemed fit to return.
Memphis Depay came off the bench against Valladolid to make his Atletico debut, and the Dutchman is in line to start his first game for the club in attack, with either Griezmann or Morata potentially making way.
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Nacho, Rudiger, Alaba, Mendy; Modric, Camavinga, Kroos; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius Jr
Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:
Oblak; Molina, Savic, Hermoso, Reinildo; Llorente, De Paul, Kondogbia, Carrasco; Griezmann, Depay
We say: Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico Madrid
Atletico's last two victories will have given Simeone's side a much-needed confidence boost heading into Thursday's derby, but whether that will be enough to help them get over the line against Real remains to be seen.
Los Blancos, meanwhile, have looked vulnerable in defence in recent weeks which bodes well for Atletico, but the hosts do have a strong home record and have dominated this rivalry over the years.
With Ancelotti set to name a strong starting lineup, we can see his Real Madrid side edging themselves through to the semi-finals.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Oliver Thomas
