Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini expects a tense derby against Atletico today.

Real need victory to leapfrog Barcelona back to the top of the table.

"Atletico are a difficult opponent," Pellegrini told Marca.

"They have some very good players, but in the league they are 34 points behind us. We need Atletico Madrid to go another year without winning in the Santiago Bernabeu," he continued, referencing the fact that loss Colchoneros have not beaten Real Madrid on their home turf since 1999.

"We are coming off 10 consecutive [league] victories so the principle objective for the team is to continue in this fashion. The game will be different to the one earlier this season because we're in different situations.

"[Atletico] are in a good moment with the chance of winning the Copa del Rey, [they have] qualified for the quarter-finals of the Europa League and are climbing up the league."