Atletico Madrid have lost only one of their last six matches at home against Real Madrid

Real Madrid hold a 2-1 lead over crosstown rivals Atletico Madrid heading into Wednesday night’s all-important Champions League round of 16 second leg.

It was a night of stunning goals last Tuesday as Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz found the back of the net with pinpoint efforts in between Julian Alvarez’s wicked equaliser.

Atleti seemed content with a single goal deficit in the dying embers of the first leg, although Madrid spurned a gilt-edge opportunity to score a third at the last when Kylian Mbappe broke in behind but failed to find the feet of Vinicius Junior with a rather simple-looking cross. Will that moment come back to bite the holders?

Carlo Ancelotti’s side have a knack in this competition, and they’ve had a hold over Atleti on the continental stage. Diego Simeone’s Rojiblancos were beaten by Madrid in two Champions League finals during the 2010s.

The hosts will fancy themselves to make a little bit of history on Wednesday, but they enter the contest off the back of a gut-wrenching 2-1 defeat at Getafe which saw their La Liga title hopes take a considerable hit. Madrid, meanwhile, beat Rayo Vallecano 2-1 to close the gap on Barcelona.

Cesar Azpilicueta returned to the matchday squad at the weekend, but the former Chelsea captain is unlikely to play a part on Wednesday. Clement Lenglet is also a doubt, while veteran midfielder Koke is set to miss out again.

Atleti are bound to set up in a similar fashion from the Bernabeu, with Samuel Lino preferred to Conor Gallagher down the left. Julian Alvarez will work in tandem with Antoine Griezmann, but Lenglet’s status could force Robin Le Normand into the team.

Atletico predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-4-2): Oblak; Llorente, Gimenez, Le Normand, Galan; Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Lino; Alvarez, Griezmann.

Ancelotti was able to offer rests to the likes of Federico Valverde, Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, and Eduardo Camavinga at the weekend, but Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius both started and scored in Madrid’s 2-1 win.

Reports claim Mbappe picked up a knock against Rayo which prevented him from training properly in the build-up to this one. His involvement is now in doubt with Madrid will do whatever they can to ensure he is fit enough to play.

Jude Bellingham is available after missing the first leg through suspension, and the Englishman is expected to be fine despite taking a knock on Sunday. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is also expected back from a minor knee issue.

Dani Ceballos could return sooner than expected from a hamstring injury, but he won’t play again until after the international break. Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are long-term absentees.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Atletico (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Valverde, Rudiger, Asencio, Mendy; Tchouameni, Camavinga; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappe.