Real Madrid face Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey final at Santiago Bernabeu on Friday evening. The two met in late April, in a La Liga fixture that Madrid won 2-1, with an own goal from Juanfran and one from Argentine winger Angel di Maria overturning Radamel Falcao's third minute header.

Cristiano Ronaldo
Reuters

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is set for 8.30pm BST. Live coverage of the game will be available on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports 1 HD.

Overview

Madrid beat arch-rivals Barcelona in the semi final. The capital club have lost their Spanish league title to the Catalans but goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and two thumping headers from French youngster Raphael Varane gave Mourinho's men a morale boosting 4-2 aggregate win.

However, Madrid's season has been largely dismal. The Bernabeu has been rocked by continuing reports of discord between key players and Mourinho, with Portugal defender Pepe the latest to be ostracised by the former Chelsea boss.

The turmoil has reflected in a poor league season; Madrid are 10 points behind Barcelona with only two games left in the season. There was to be some solace in winning a record tenth Champions League crown later this month but an insipid performance against Borussia Dortmund, in the first leg of a semi final tie, put that hope to rest. The Copa del Rey is now the last hope of a major trophy this season; the club beat Barcelona on away goals to win the Spanish Super Cup in August.

Madrid were held 1-1 by Espanyol last weekend, with Gonzalo Higuain cancelling Christian Stuani's opener. While the draw was less than ideal preparation for this game, it extends their unbeaten run in domestic fixtures to 15. The last time Madrid lost a game, in either the league or the cup, was back in early February, when Granada shocked them 1-0.

Radamel Falcao
Reuters

More importantly, Madrid hold a strong psychological edge over their cross-town neighbours. Atlético have not beaten the nine-time European champions in over a decade; the last time they did was in October, 1999, when former Dutch international Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink hit a brace for a 3-1 win.

Incidentally, that was at the Bernabeu.

Atlético will have their work cut out, though. Madrid have scored 16 times in their last five games and with Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil, di Maria, Higuain and Luka Modric all in excellent form, Diego Simeone's men will have a hard evening.

Los Colchoneros qualified for the final after beating Sevilla 4-3 on aggregate. A brace from Brazilian Diego Costa in the first leg set up the win. And the good news for Atlético fans is that he is the tournament's leading goal scorer. Ronaldo has six to his seven.

The Spanish capital's second club has had an excellent season, threatening, for most of the season, to finish above their rivals. However, a late charge has ensured that will not happen. Atlético come into this game after a 2-1 home defeat to Barcelona, despite, again, an early goal from Falcao.

The club will finish third in the league and has long since guaranteed direct entry to the Champions League for next year.

Team Form

Real Madrid

  • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): D W W W W
  • Last Match: Espanyol 1 - 1 Real Madrid

Atlético Madrid

  • Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): L W D L W
  • Last Match: Atlético Madrid 1 - 2 Barcelona

Team News

Angel di Maria
Reuters

Varane (knee) is unavailable but Mourinho will have considerable defensive reinforcements, after new Sergio Ramos (hamstring), Marcelo (muscle tear) and Alvaro Arbeloa (back) are all likely to be ready. Playmaker Ozil (ankle) is also expected to play. Pepe could be in line for a recall after being dropped for publically criticising his coach.

Varane's absence means Pepe will possibly partner Ramos in the centre of defence, with Michael Essien and Fabio Coentrao on the flanks. Sami Khedira and Xabi Alonso will play in centre midfield, with Modric an option off the bench. The front four are pretty straightforward - Ozil, di Maria and Ronaldo will play behind Karim Benzema.

Probable Line-Up: Lopez; Essien, Ramos, Pepe, Coentrao; Khedira, Alonso; di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo; Benzema

Midfielder Mario Suarez has recovered and will likely play instead of Tiago. Simeone is fortunate to have no other injury concerns.

Probable Line-Up: Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Luis; Koke, Gabi, Suarez, Turan; Falcao, Costa

Real Madrid