Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid Preview: Team News & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
One of Spain’s most intriguing encounters in a season takes place at San Mames this weekend as the famous Athletic Club welcome the famous Real Madrid to the Basque Country.
Kick-off date/time: Wednesday 4th December, 2024: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Athletic Bilbao Preview: Chasing history
Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Club come into this one on the back of a 2-1 victory in the capital city at the weekend with a 2-1 defeat of Rayo Vallecano at Vallecas with an excellent match-winning brace from the excellent and constantly improving Oihan Sancet.
The hosts are dreaming of reaching the UEFA Europa League final this season with it being played at San Mames after ending their 41-year major trophy drought with the Copa del Rey last season. They are now unbeaten in their last nine matches across all competitions.
Real Madrid Preview: Muddling through
It was another underwhelming performance from Real Madrid at the weekend as they defeated Getafe by two goals to nil thanks to first-half goals from Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe but that victory did make it three wins in a row in La Liga for the defending champions.
Madrid, though, have struggled to put together consistent good performances and are struggling in the UEFA Champions League with a top 24 finish in doubt but they have somehow clung on to Barcelona’s coattails and are now in a good position in La Liga’s title race.
Athletic Bilbao Team News: Fully fit
Athletic have been dealing with several injuries throughout this campaign, most notably Spain’s number one goalkeeper Unai Simon, but the Basque giants now have a fully fit and available squad as we head into the busiest part of the season.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Oscar de Marcos, Dani Vivian, Yeray Alvarez, Yuri Berchiche; Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Benat Prados; Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams; Gorka Guruzeta
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Real Madrid Team News: Injury crisis
Unlike their opponents, Real Madrid are actually dealing with something of a major injury crisis with Vinicius Junior still sidelined for a couple of weeks with other absentees including the likes of Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Predicted XI (4-1-2-1-2): Courtois; Lucas Vazquez, Raul Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Modric; Fede Valverde, Dani Ceballos; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe
Unavailable: Jacobo (Injured), Militao (Injured), Alaba (Injured), Dani Carvajal (Injured), Tchouameni (Injured), Camavinga (Injured), Vinicius Junior (Injured)
Questionable:
Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid Prediction
Athletic have an excellent group of attackers with the Williams brothers alongside the aforementioned Oihan Sancet and then the line can be led by the likes of Alvaro Djalo and Gorka Guruzeta. Up against a fragile Madrid side with the raucous San Mames atmosphere, they will fancy their chances of at least hurting their opposition. Madrid, though, in typical style are not just remaining in games but also in the title race so can never be written off.
Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid Tip: Both teams to score
