Two of La Liga's three joint leaders come face to face for the second time in a week as Atletico Madrid host neighbours, Real Madrid.
The home side face a considerable task if they are to reach the final of Spain's most coveted competition, after Real Madrid secured a convincing 3-0 win in last Wednesday's first leg tie at the Santiago Bernabeu. Both sides have been in impressive form in La Liga this season and currently find themselves in a three way tie for the lead, along with Barcelona.
Atletico Madrid's Vincente Calderon has been a popular hunting ground for Real Madrid, with Los Blancos winning the last seven games in the red half of Madrid. However, tonights hosts have produced some sparkling displays this year and go in to tonights clash having picked up 11 points from a possible 15 against 5 of La Liga's top 8.
Besides having a 3-0 deficit to cope with, the visit of Real Madrid is likely to be a difficult encounter as Carlo Ancelotti's men are unbeaten in their last five away games, winning four along the way. Atletico also come into tonights game off the back of a shock 2-0 defeat at the hands of Almeria.
The home side have found themselves in the middle of an injury crisis of late, with midfielder Tiago likely to be out for four weeks after spraining knee ligaments, following a bad tackle by Almeria's Helder Barbosa. Former Barcelona forward David Villa remains a doubt after injuring his hamstring in the 4-0 win over Real Sociedad at the start of the month. He'll join goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in a late fitness test, as the on loan Chelsea stopper was forced to pull out of Saturday's visit to Almeria with a back problem.
Besides injury problems, Atletico boss Diego Simeone faces a striker headache, with top scorer Diego Costa suspended after being booked in last week's first leg.
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has virtually a full squad to pick from. The only exceptions being long term absentee Sami Khedira and left back Marcelo who was forced off after 17 minutes during his sides game with Villarreal. The Brazilian's back injury is unlikely to keep him out for too long, with reports suggesting he could return tonight.