On that occasion, Atleti went on to claim the Liga title, and Diego Simeone will hope that proves to be a positive omen in an ever-intriguing battle for this year's championship.
Real top the pile in La Liga with 63 points going into the fixture, just three above Gerardo Martino's Barcelona and Atleti, who sit second and third respectively.
Simeone's men triumphed 1-0 in the reverse fixture last September thanks to Diego Costa's goal, meaning Atleti can end a 63-year wait for a league double on Sunday.
That win went a long way to avenging a 2-1 extra-time defeat to Atleti in last year's Copa final and Carlo Ancelotti's men have been in supreme form in La Liga recently.
Since then Real have dropped points on just two occasions and another win against Simeone's charges would cement their title ambitions.
That means Sami Khedira (knee) remains the only absentee for Real, while Atleti have no any fresh injury worries, as they look for a swift response to the 3-0 defeat at Osasuna last weekend.
