The stage is set for a blockbuster Spanish Super Cup semi-final as arch-rivals Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid prepare to lock horns in a highly anticipated Madrid derby. The clash will take place at the neutral venue of the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, promising a thrilling encounter for football fans worldwide.
Match Details and Live Streaming Information
The crucial semi-final is scheduled for Thursday, January 8. For fans in India, the action kicks off at 12:30 AM IST on Friday, January 9. In the United States, the match begins at 2:00 PM ET. The iconic King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah will host this high-stakes fixture.
Indian supporters can catch all the live action exclusively on the FanCode app. For viewers in the United States, the match will be broadcast on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, and will be available for streaming via fuboTV and the ESPN app.
Team News and Predicted Lineups
Both teams have significant squad updates ahead of the derby. Atletico Madrid will be without defenders Clement Lenglet (knee) and Nicolas Gonzalez (thigh), with both expected to return later in January. Midfielder Pablo Barrios has travelled with the squad and could feature pending a final assessment.
Real Madrid's biggest absence is their star forward Kylian Mbappe, who is ruled out with a left knee sprain and did not make the trip to Saudi Arabia. Defender Eder Militao continues his recovery from a tendon injury, while Brahim Diaz is unavailable due to international duty commitments.
The confirmed starting lineups see Jan Oblak guarding the goal for Atletico, with a midfield featuring Koke and Conor Gallagher. Their attack is led by Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth. For Real Madrid, Thibaut Courtois starts in goal, with a formidable lineup including Antonio Rudiger in defence, Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham in midfield, and Vinicius Junior leading the attack alongside Rodrygo and Gonzalo Garcia.
AI Predictions and Historic Rivalry
Artificial Intelligence models have weighed in on this epic showdown. Grok predicts a fiercely contested battle, highlighting Atletico's defensive resilience under Diego Simeone against Real's attacking prowess. It forecasts a tight 2-1 victory for Real Madrid, citing their experience in big matches. Similarly, ChatGPT labels Real Madrid as slight favourites due to squad depth and historical edge, but warns of Atletico's organised counter-attacks, also predicting a 2-1 win for Los Blancos.
The historic head-to-head record heavily favours Real Madrid. In their long-standing rivalry, Real Madrid have won 118 matches, compared to Atletico's 64 victories. A total of 63 encounters have ended in a draw, underscoring the competitive nature of this fixture.
This semi-final is more than just a ticket to the final; it's a matter of pride and bragging rights in one of football's most intense rivalries. With a place in the Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona at stake, expect both sides to leave everything on the pitch in Jeddah.
