Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction

Real Madrid host neighbours Atletico Madrid for the first capital derby of the La Liga season on Sunday night.

Los Blancos lead the way atop the tree as the first half of the campaign draws to a close, outstripping second-placed Sevilla by eight points. Atletico trail their city rivals by ten points already in fourth, though have played a game less than Real.

Here's all you need to know about the latest meeting between these giants of the Spanish game.

How to watch Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid on TV/live stream

When is kick off? Sunday 12 December, 20:00 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? Santiago Bernabeu
TV channel/live stream? Premier Sports 1/LaLiga TV (UK), ESPN+ (US), TSN (Canada)
Highlights? La Liga YouTube Channel
Referee? Antonio Mateu Lahoz
VAR? Ignacio Iglesias Villanueva

Real Madrid team news

David Alaba hasn't missed a match since September but has recently been playing through a mild MCL sprain, going into games with his knee taped. The Austria international is likely to once again make himself available but the largest question mark for Real Madrid hangs over Karim Benzema.

La Liga's top scorer and most prolific assist provider was forced off inside the opening 20 minutes of Madrid's 2-0 win over Real Sociedad last weekend. Benzema missed the midweek victory against Inter but may have timed his recovery for Sunday.

You can read Real Madrid's predicted lineup here.

Atletico Madrid team news

Atletico snuck into the Champions League knockout stages by the skin of their teeth with a full-blooded - to say the least - 3-1 win over Porto on Wednesday. However, that battle took its toll.

Luis Suarez missed most of the mayhem as he was removed inside the opening 15 minutes. The club have confirmed there was no rupture but his availability is still very much in doubt. Sime Vrsaljko had been filling in for centre back Stefan Savic - who pulled up against Mallorca last weekend - but suffered a facial fracture and will require surgery.

Kieran Trippier has returned to training from a shoulder injury while Jose Maria Gimenez adds to the defensive absentees.

You can read Atletico Madrid's predicted lineup here.

Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid head-to-head record

The last two La Liga winners have faced each other 227 times across all competitions, with Real claiming 112 victories to Atletico's 56. Before a certain Alfredo Di Stefano was lured to the white half of the Spanish capital in 1953, Atletico had actually won more top flight titles than their neighbours.

However, that seismic signing swung the tide in what was once an even rivalry but has become particularly one-sided this century. Since Atletico's last promotion in 2002 Los Rojiblancos have won just four of the 38 La Liga matches.

Simeone hasn't led his side to a derby win since the 2018 UEFA Super Cup. Atleti's last La Liga triumph over Real was all the way back in February 2016.

Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid score prediction

Atletico may have pipped their city rivals to last season's title but Real have been the side strutting through the campaign like reigning champions. Buoyed by a nine-game winning run - which includes victories against two of Spain's top five and the Italian champions - Real have settled into a triumphant groove under Carlo Ancelotti.

In a stuttering campaign littered with injuries and an unheard of defensive decline, Simeone's Atletico have won consecutive games just twice all season. Real Madrid's imperious form suggests their rivals won't add to that tally this Sunday.

Prediction: Real Madrid 3-1 Atletico Madrid