Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa confirmed Kylian Mbappe is 100% ready to face Atletico Madrid in LaLiga on Sunday, after recovering from a knee injury.

Mbappe came off the bench in the 69th minute as Madrid defeated Manchester City 2-1 in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday, securing a 5-1 aggregate success.

He had previously missed five games – including the first leg of the City tie – after aggravating an existing knee sprain last month. 

But Arbeloa has seen enough to suggest the Frenchman could start at Santiago Bernabeu next time out, telling reporters: "I already told you that the day he returned, it would be because he was 100% ready. 

"The minutes we saw from him in Manchester, there were two or three runs he made... well, I think that in each of the actions, he showed that he was doing very well. 

"And above all, it's about how he is feeling. In the end, this is the important thing – how he finds himself and how he is in training. 

"We have maximum confidence, maximum guarantees and maximum illusion of having a player like him back. He is at 100%."

Mbappe has been named in France's squad for friendly matches against Brazil and Colombia this month, but Arbeloa is not irked by Didier Deschamps including him so soon after his return to fitness. 

"I think it's phenomenal. He is a player who is always at the coach's disposal," he said of Mbappe's call-up. "He has already played with us and, tomorrow, he will play, for sure. 

"So, I don't see any problem with them going with their national teams. In fact, it's good news. Having a lot of internationals means that you have players of a high level."

While Madrid are second in LaLiga, four points adrift of leaders Barcelona, Atleti are nine points back from their rivals in fourth, leading Diego Simeone to consider prioritising the Champions League.  

"It's always a game that is played from an emotional point of view, with a lot of enthusiasm and trying to do our best to try to hurt the opponent," Los Rojiblancos' boss said. 

"We are still thinking about where to put ourselves, whether to continue with these rotations that we have made when we have had to play in both the Champions League and then LaLiga.

"The players are all very excited to play, and they are making it difficult for me."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Real Madrid – Federico Valverde

Valverde has provided seven assists in 27 matches with Real Madrid in LaLiga 2025-26, equalling his highest tally in a single campaign in the competition (seven in 37 appearances in 2023-24).

Atletico Madrid – Antoine Griezmann 

Griezmann has scored 10 goals in 35 derbies against Real Madrid in all competitions. 

As an Atletico Madrid player, only against Celta Vigo (11) and Sevilla (11) has he scored more goals (also 10 against Valencia).

MATCH PREDICTION – REAL MADRID WIN

Real Madrid have not lost any of their last 12 home matches in all competitions against Atletico Madrid (W6 D6), their longest unbeaten run at home against their rivals since Simeone took charge of Los Colchoneros.

However, following their 5-2 victory in the reverse fixture, Atleti could complete a league double over Madrid for the fifth time in their LaLiga history, after doing so in the 1940-41, 1942-43, 1950-51, and 2014-15 campaigns.

Furthermore, Real Madrid have not won any of their last six LaLiga matches against Atleti (D4 L2).

However, Los Blancos have never previously gone seven games without winning against their cross-city rivals in the competition. 

Sunday's hosts have won 11 and lost three of their last 14 matches in LaLiga, though they have conceded at least one goal in each of their last five games (six goals in total). 

They have not conceded in six or more consecutive matches in the competition since October 2022 (seven goals in seven games). 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Real Madrid – 47.6%

Atletico Madrid – 27.9%

Draw – 24.5%