Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao Preview: Team News & Prediction
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These two sides experienced very different weeks in European competition as Real Madrid and Athletic Club now prepare to do battle in a massive game for this season’s La Liga title race.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 20th April, 2025: 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 Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Real Madrid Preview: Losing Los Blancos
Reigning European champions Real Madrid succumbed to a heavy 5-1 aggregate defeat in midweek as Arsenal defeated them by two goals to one at the Bernabeu in what was, in terms of the manner and character shown in the loss, fairly embarrassing for Los Blancos.
Carlo Ancelotti is expected to depart at the end of the season, albeit Madrid do have the Copa del Rey final to play against Barcelona in a Clasico but they begin this weekend’s round of fixtures in La Liga sitting four points behind the aforementioned league leaders Barca.
Athletic Bilbao Preview: Brilliant Basque
In comparison, Athletic Club continued their march to trying to win the UEFA Europa League at their home ground of San Mames next month with a comfortable 2-0 defeat of Rangers in the Basque Country in midweek thanks to goals from Nico Williams and Oihan Sancet.
Ernesto Valverde’s side had appeared to be wobbling ever so slightly of late but they remain comfortably tucked inside the top four in La Liga and returned to some fluency last weekend with a comfortable and impressive 3-1 defeat of Rayo Vallecano at San Mames.
Real Madrid Team News: Mbappe suspended
France captain Kylian Mbappe has somehow only been handed a one-match suspension for what was a horror tackle that resulted in a red card on Antonio Blanco last weekend. They still have some defensive injury issues such as Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao.
Predicted XI (4-1-2-1-2): Courtois; Lucas Vazquez, Raul Asencio, Rudiger, Fran Garcia; Tchouameni; Fede Valverde, Modric; Bellingham; Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo
Unavailable: Lunin (Injured), Militao (Injured), Dani Carvajal (Injured), Mendy (Injured), Mbappe (Suspended)
Questionable:
Athletic Bilbao Team News: Potential rotation
As was the case last season as they pushed for the Copa del Rey title last season, Ernesto Valverde and Athletic Club have a few injury issues and Yuri Berchiche is now sidelined for the Basque giants this weekend.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Andoni Gorosabel, Dani Vivian, Aitor Paredes, Boiro; Mikel Jauregizar, Benat Prados; Alvaro Djalo, Unai Gomez, Alex Berenguer; Gorka Guruzeta
Unavailable: Yuri Berchiche (Injured)
Questionable:
Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction
As mentioned, Real Madrid have not been close to the standard that they should be at with their squad and the standards that they have set. Los Blancos have struggled for fluency but the absence of Kylian Mbappe will allow them to search for what they had last year with Jude Bellingham’s late runs in behind Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo. They face an Athletic side that have their full focus on the UEFA Europa League and could rotate quite heavily this weekend so siding with Madrid to get a much-needed win is a good bet for this one at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao Tip: Real Madrid to win