LaLiga
LaLiga: Real Madrid vs Atletico: times, TV and how to watch online
All the information you need to watch the Week 17 LaLiga game between Real Madrid and Atlético at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday 12 December.
Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid live online: scores, stats and updates
With just two weekends of action left in LaLiga in 2021, Real Madrid welcome their city rivals Atlético to the Santiago Bernabéu for the latest installment of the capital derby – the 169th. It’s turning out to be an atypical season in Spain – Barcelona, champions six times during the past decade, are out of the running this year. Atleti, with a squad full of stars, have faded too. Simeone’s team have been hit by a spate of injuries but oddly, seem to be going through an identity crisis – caught between being their old solid, rugged self and what they trying to be - a attack-minded and direct side which El Cholo is attempting to craft with his star-studded frontline Griezmann, João Félix, Luis Suárez and recent arrival Matheus Cunha. It's almost as if they feel a bit uncomfortable not being the underdogs.
All of that has gifted Ancelotti’s Real Madrid a more or less free run at the title. Atleti go into Sunday’s derby 10 points adrift of their neighbours and Barça, who have a tough trip to Osasuna earlier on Sunday, are lagging behind by 16 points. Real Madrid are running away with the league and they know it, they are brimming with confidence, have few or no injury concerns and are getting results.
Atleti’s last victory in the derby was in February 2016. In the 10 league meetings since then, they have either drawn or lost to their neighbours. On the plus side, Simeone’s team had a fresh injection of confidence after securing their place in the next round of the Champions League after redeeming themselves in Porto in the final group matchday.
Real Madrid vs Atlético: team news
Karim Benzema was taken off in last weekend’s win over Real Sociedad with a tight hamstring. He has been training as normal since Thursday and he has been included in Ancelotti’s 25-man squad list for the game. Also in the list is Gareth Bale, who last appeared at the end of August but has been laid low by a series of diverse fitness issues. All of Ancelotti’s available players have been called up – only Dani Ceballos, who has been sidelined for several months with ankle injury, misses out.
While Madrid are at full strength, the opposite is the case for Simeone’s Atleti. The coach, who is without four defenders - Giménez, Savic, Trippier and Vrsaljko, can just about put a back four together. Kondogbia will drop back into central defence alongside Felipe with Marcos Llorente taking up Trippier’s position at right-back. It’s a toss-up between Ángel Correa or Thomas Lemar as to who will man the left flank.
What time does Real Madrid vs Atlético kick off?
The 2021/20 LaLiga Week 17 meeting between Real Madrid vs Atlético Madrid will be played at the Santiago Bernabéu, in Madrid on Sunday 12 December with kick-off at 3pm ET / 12:00 noon PT.
That’s 21:00 hours local time CET and 8:00 pm UK time.
Where can I watch Real Madrid vs Atlético in the US and UK?
US viewers can tune in to watch the Madrid derby between Real Madrid and Atlético live via ESPN here
In the US and UK, the following television channels and online services will be broadcasting Real Madrid vs Atlético:
United States: ESPN+
United Kingdom: Premier Sports 1, LaLigaTV, Premier Player HD
Find out who is showing Real Madrid vs Atlético around in the world.
Real Madrid vs Atlético: live AS USA coverage
You’ll also be able to follow live-text coverage of Real Madrid vs Atlético right here at AS USA. We'll be building up to the game from about an hour ahead of kick-off, before taking you through the action as it unfolds.