Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid: The end of the sextuple

Diego Simeone's side start the second leg with an away goal

Atletico Madrid will ruin Real Madrid's plans to hoard six trophies in 2014/15, argues Michael Lintorn...

Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid
Friday, 21:30
Live on Sky Sports 5

Match Odds: Atletico Madrid 3.613/5, Real Madrid 2.26/5, The Draw 3.55/2

As far as avenging a defeat to your despised neighbours in a Champions League final that you led until the 93rd minute goes, beating them in the season-opening Supercopa de Espana isn't exactly like-for-like retribution.

However, destroying Real Madrid's much-discussed aspiration to win six trophies (a sextuple) in mid-August would still be pretty sweet for Atletico.

It would also force those who believe that they stand no chance of retaining La Liga without Thibaut Courtois, Filipe Luis and Diego Costa to reassess, and there are plenty who feel that way judging by their 15.5n/a winner odds.

This writer backed them at the even bigger price of 19.0 earlier this summer after presenting a five-pronged case for doing so, and is now investing in them to obtain another trophy - this Supercopa, completing Diego Simeone's domestic set in the process - on the strength of Tuesday's first leg.

Those who read our preview of that encounter will know that both bets landed - under 2.5 goals and Real not to lead at half time. However, the best-case scenario envisaged was a 0-0 draw like the one that they earned at Barcelona in the 2013 edition: a draw with an away goal was a dream result.

Carlo Ancelotti's expensively-assembled side rarely tested debutant visiting goalkeeper Moya despite altering their line-up in search of greater balance by benching James Rodriguez in favour of Xabi Alonso, and even though Atletico didn't start Cristian Ansaldi, Tiago and Antoine Griezmann.

Whereas the Colchoneros have that trio, who would probably all make their strongest XI, to add to their team that kicks off the second leg, Real only truly have James to bring in, and he might take the place of Cristiano Ronaldo, who departed injured at half time at the Bernabeu.

Ronaldo was decisive in gaining the ten-time European champions their first silverware of 2014/15, scoring both goals in the 2-0 UEFA Super Cup victory over Sevilla, and he was responsible for three of Real's previous four strikes at the Vicente Calderon.

Atletico weren't conquered at home in La Liga throughout last season, claiming 15 wins, four draws, 12 clean sheets and 49 goals, and held Barcelona in the Supercopa on top of that.

One further piece of Atletico positivity, as if you even require more, is that Real have lost the away leg of their past five Supercopas. They last triumphed in such a fixture in 1990, since when their record reads P9 W0 D2 L7.

Best Bet: Lay Real Madrid to win @ 2.226/5
Other Recommended Bet: Back Atletico Madrid to lift the trophy* @ 2.245/4

*This tip refers to them prevailing over two legs; following the farce whereby they weren't handed the league title in May, there is no guarantee that they will actually be allowed to pose with the Supercopa de Espana if successful.