Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid Prediction and Betting Tips: Back Rudiger to be carded in Copa del Rey clash

Just eight days after their meeting in the Supercopa de Espana, Atletico Madrid once again take on Real Madrid, this time in the Copa del Rey. We’ve got Anthony Eadson in the tipping hot-seat to provide us with his best bets.

It was a chaotic clash between these two sides last week, with the game in Saudi Arabia finishing 3-3 after 90 minutes before Real Madrid added two extra time goals to advance to the final after a 5-3 win. Diego Simeone’s side will be out for revenge on Thursday, but despite being the home side, they are still not the favorites with bookmakers to win the game, priced at 15/8 to do so.

Real Madrid resume their defence of the Copa del Rey on Thursday after a magnificent 4-1 victory over Barcelona to lift the Supercopa trophy last weekend. Los Blancos should have no fresh injury concerns for this clash with their city rivals and are the 6/4 favourites with BetMGM to win the game in normal time.

Real Madrid have started to turn the screw in Spain and are now on a run of seven straight victories. Ancelott’s side are unbeaten in their last 21 competitive matches and as one half of my main bet for the evening I’m backing the visitors in the double chance market, meaning we need them to win or draw the game. 

A certain calmness and confidence has been present to see since Carlo Ancelotti put to bed rumours of him departing to take the Brazilian national team job by signing a contract extension at the Bernabeu. His side look a cut above both Atletico and Barcelona this season and it would be no surprise to see them put in another commanding performance here despite having a few days less to prepare. 

I’ll be pairing Real double chance with Jude Bellingham to record a shot on target, via the BetMGM bet builder. The young Englishman has been flawless this term and when it comes to shots on target he has recorded 35 in total for Real Madrid and has cleared this line in 88% of matches since donning the famous white shirt. Jude found the net against Barcelona in the final last weekend and I see no reason why he can’t hit the target again here after doing so in 9 of his last 10. 

At 4/1 with the same bookmaker I’m getting behind Antonio Rudiger to be carded. As mentioned above, Atletico will be out for revenge after the bedlam of last week’s match and I can envisage a nice bit of needle between the two sides. 

No player has received more yellow cards for Real Madrid this season than their German centre-back who has now been cautioned in five of his last eight matches across all competitions. In total, Rudiger has collected seven yellows in 18 La Liga appearances this season and I think the 4/1 looks a very backable price, while other firms such as bet365 go just 21/10.