Sitting seven points behind the La Liga leaders, this is probably Atletico’s final chance to revive their title bid, but having already defeated Real three times this season, the hosts have reason for optimism.

Meanwhile, los Blancos are desperate to end a seven-match winless run in games against their local rivals and at the same time cement the first place in the standings.

This has been another good season for Atletico Madrid, as the team continued on the same path in spite of major changes to the playing squad.

After eliminating Real Madrid from Copa del Rey, Diego Simeone’s charges were beaten by Barcelona in the quarter-finals, but they are unlikely to be too downhearted by the 4-2 aggregate loss.

Atletico responded well by defeating Eibar on the road, thus cementing the third place in the standings, but they will certainly try and make the La Liga title race interesting with another victory over their bitter rivals.

And having already beaten los Blancos three times this term, los Colchoneros can be backed at 3.00 (2/1) to extend the brilliant run.

There have been plenty of good news for Diego Simeone this week, with Tiago Mendes and Arda Turan recovering from injury to resume full training.

Important midfielder Gabi is back from suspension, while Joao Miranda will be recalled to the starting line-up after proving his fitness.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Moya – Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Siqueira – Turan, Gabi, Tiago, Koke – Mandzukic, Griezmann.

Real Madrid ended the amazing winning run in the first match of 2015, losing the league game to Valencia, before crashing out of Copa del Rey at the hands of Atletico Madrid.

The team have since showed a lot of improvement, even if the easy fixture list definitely helped, winning league matches against Getafe, Cordoba, Real Sociedad and Sevilla to create a four-point cushion at the La Liga summit.

Real Madrid now face a tricky tie against local rivals Atletico, a team they failed to beat in last seven attempts, so no wonder Carlo Ancelotti’s men will be very motivated to win at Vicente Calderon.

But, while superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is back from suspension, the visitors will be without a number of important players.

Full-back Marcelo is banned after picking up his fifth yellow card against Sevilla, whereas Sergio Ramos and James Rodriguez have joined Pepe and Luka Modric in the infirmary.

As a result, odds of 2.50 (3/2) offered on away win do no look too tempting, especially given team’s poor record against Atletico.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Casillas – Carvajal, Varane, Nacho, Arbeloa – Bale, Khedira, Kroos, Isco – Benzema, Ronaldo.