Verdict: Draw
Best odds: 9/4
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Real Madrid aim to maintain pressure on La Liga leaders Barcelona as they travel to face Athletic Bilbao at San Mames on Wednesday.
Currently second in the standings, Los Blancos will face a challenging test against fourth-placed Athletic, who are vying for a Champions League spot. Both teams are prepared for a fiercely competitive encounter as the season intensifies.
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao, fresh off a fifth-place finish last season, are eyeing Champions League qualification for the first time since 2013-14. With a solid record of seven wins, five draws, and three losses from 15 La Liga matches, they sit in fourth place, edging Villarreal on goal difference.
Their latest triumph, a hard-fought 2-1 comeback against Rayo Vallecano, was inspired by Oihan Sancet’s second-half brace. This win marked their third consecutive victory and extended their unbeaten streak to nine games in all competitions, a run dating back to October 6.
Returning to San Mamés, where they have six wins and two draws in their last eight matches, Ernesto Valverde’s side will aim to end their league drought against Real Madrid. Athletic’s last home win over Los Blancos came in March 2015, when Valverde and Carlo Ancelotti were managing their respective sides during their earlier tenures.
Team News
Athletic Club will be without Ander Herrera for this game after the veteran midfielder sustained a hamstring injury. Oihan Sancet, who delivered a match-winning brace against Rayo Vallecano, is expected to recover from a minor ankle concern to reclaim his spot in the starting XI.
Benat Prados is available for selection following a one-match suspension and should return to the lineup, potentially joined by Oscar de Marcos and Dani Vivian as Valverde considers changes.
In goal, Valverde faces a decision between sticking with Julen Agirrezabala or recalling Unai Simon, who recently returned from injury after winning the Euro 2024 title.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid aim to maintain their domestic momentum amid an unusually challenging European campaign. Last week’s 2-0 Champions League loss to Liverpool marked their third defeat in four European games, leaving them 24th in the league phase standings. However, Los Blancos appear to have turned their focus to La Liga, winning three consecutive matches without conceding to capitalize on Barcelona’s recent struggles.
Sunday’s 2-0 home victory over Getafe featured Jude Bellingham’s composed penalty and Kylian Mbappe’s first-half strike, ensuring Madrid remain just one point behind Barcelona with a game in hand. Notably, this marked their seventh league clean sheet of the season.
Real Madrid are unbeaten in 21 consecutive La Liga away games, dating back to September 2023. They now target a sixth straight victory at San Mames, where they secured a 2-0 win last season. Despite Athletic’s formidable home form, Madrid’s recent domestic consistency makes them favorites for Wednesday’s clash.
Team News
Real Madrid continue to contend with significant injury issues, as Eduardo Camavinga and Vinicius Junior remain sidelined with muscle injuries. Long-term absentees Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are out for the season with ACL injuries, while David Alaba is not expected back until early 2025.
Aurelien Tchouameni could provide a boost by returning to the matchday squad after recovering from his own injury. Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham is expected to feature despite being substituted at halftime against Getafe due to a neck issue.
Carlo Ancelotti may rotate his lineup for the challenging trip to San Mamés, with Luka Modric and Arda Güler in contention for starting roles.
Conclusion
Real Madrid have built momentum with three consecutive league wins against Osasuna, Leganes, and Getafe, but their upcoming trip to San Mames presents a significantly sterner challenge. Athletic’s strong home form, with just one loss in their last 26 La Liga games at the venue, makes this a daunting fixture for Los Blancos.
Given Athletic’s resilience and the home advantage, a closely contested match seems likely.
Verdict: Draw
Best odds: 9/4
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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