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Real Madrid host Atletico Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday night with Kylian Mbappe expected to return to the starting lineup. The derby arrives at a critical point in the La Liga title race, with Carlo Ancelotti’s side chasing Barcelona at the top of the table.
Madrid head into the game after a 2-1 win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, a result that sealed progress to the Champions League quarterfinals. That performance extended a strong recent run and left Real Madrid chasing a fifth consecutive victory in all competitions.
Mbappe’s return is the headline boost for the home side. The France forward came back into action against Manchester City in midweek and is now expected to make his first start since Feb. 21. His numbers in La Liga underline the importance of that return, with 23 goals in 23 league matches this season.
Jude Bellingham is also back in contention after recovering from a hamstring injury, although he is not expected to start. The England midfielder has not played since Feb. 1, and his likely reintroduction from the bench would still offer Real Madrid another major option in the closing stages of the derby.
Courtois Absence Changes The Picture In Goal
The biggest setback for Real Madrid comes in goal. Thibaut Courtois suffered a muscular injury against Manchester City, leaving Andriy Lunin set to step into the lineup for one of the biggest matches of the domestic season.
Lunin’s inclusion will place extra attention on Madrid’s defensive structure, but he is far from inexperienced. The Ukrainian goalkeeper has previously delivered important performances for the club and now faces a significant test against an Atletico attack that has found rhythm in recent weeks.
Real Madrid are gradually recovering depth in defence elsewhere. Eder Militao could make his first appearance of 2026 from the bench, while Alvaro Carreras is expected to return at left back after missing the City match.
Midfield Balance Could Define The Derby
Federico Valverde is expected to continue on the right side of midfield after a series of influential displays. His energy, ball progression and defensive coverage remain central to Madrid’s balance in high-level matches.
Aurelien Tchouameni should retain his place in central midfield, with Thiago Pitarch also in line to start. Pitarch has emerged as a notable option in recent weeks and could make a sixth successive start in what would be his first senior Madrid derby from the opening whistle.
Arda Guler is expected to complete the midfield line. The Turkey international has looked increasingly comfortable from the left while drifting into central areas, a role that allows Vinicius Junior to operate wider and attack isolated defenders.
Mbappe And Vinicius Lead Expected Front Two
Mbappe is set to return alongside Vinicius Junior in a 4-4-2 shape. That pairing gives Real Madrid pace, direct running and high-end finishing, particularly against an Atletico side that will expect long spells without the ball at the Bernabeu.
Vinicius arrives after scoring twice against Manchester City, ending a four-match goal drought. His renewed sharpness, combined with Mbappe’s return, gives Madrid their most dangerous attacking setup heading into one of the defining matches of their league campaign.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Atletico Madrid: Andriy Lunin; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras; Federico Valverde, Thiago Pitarch, Aurelien Tchouameni, Arda Guler; Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior.
Confirmed absentees for Real Madrid are Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy, Dani Ceballos and Thibaut Courtois, while Militao is listed among the doubts but could feature from the bench. With the title race tightening and Atletico arriving for the latest derby chapter, Real Madrid have strong reasons to welcome Mbappe back at the right moment.