Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid Betting Tips: Back Benzema to continue purple patch

The Madrid derby takes place on Thursday with Real facing Atletico at the Bernabeu in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey. We’ve provided our best data-driven tips for the game which we think represent good value in the betting markets.

Real Madrid currently find themselves three points behind leaders Barcelona in the La Liga table. Los Blancos were beaten 3-1 by the Catalans last week in the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, but since then have managed wins on the road at Villarreal in the Copa Del Rey and most recently against Athletic Bilbao in the league. 

Carlo Ancelotti’s side have not won this competition since back in 2014 and have not made it to a final since that same year surprisingly. The hosts can be backed at 17/20 in the Match Result market on Thursday evening and 4/9 in the ‘To Qualify’ market to advance to the last-four. 

Atletico Madrid were 3-0 up in the first half an hour in their win over Valladolid against last weekend. Diego Simeone’s side are 10 points behind Real in the league standings having played one game less and can be backed at 3/1 to win inside 90 minutes and 15/8 to progress to the semi-finals.

First up we are backing Karim Benzema to get on the scoresheet anytime in the match. After a slow start to the campaign, the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner has been in excellent form of late, with eight goals in his last eight starts for his employers. 

That purple patch in front of goal includes strikes against Barcelona in La Liga and in the Spanish Super Cup last week. In total, Benzema has scored in seven of his last eight matches which he has started across all competitions and with this in mind, we are happy to take the odds-against offering of 6/5 from Betfair and Paddy Power.

Cards are often a common feature when these two sides meet with 50+ booking points being dished out in each of the last four meetings. One player who makes appeal to be booked here is Setfan Savic who has been shown more yellow cards against Real Madrid than any other opponent in his career. 

• Latest La Liga Winner Odds

The Atletico Madrid centre-back has played 14 matches in his career against Real Madrid and has been cautioned in seven of those! That includes the last three times that these two have faced each other in La Liga and with his disciplinary record in mind, quotes of 9/4 look fair, with other firms such as bet365 going considerably shorter at 9/4.

Did you know that bet365 pay your team out as a winner if they go 2 goals ahead at any time in the match (available on over 80 leagues and competitions, T&C's apply). Find out more on our bet365 offers page.