Prediction: Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao

Verdict: Real Madrid win

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Simply looking to sign off their La Liga adventure with a flurry on home soil, Real Madrid will welcome Athletic Bilbao to the capital on Sunday evening.

Real Madrid

Starting with the hosts, while Real Madrid might have shown a host of La Liga issues this season, the Spanish giants have found a welcomed boost over the past fortnight. Despite crashing out of the Champions League following an infamous 5-1 aggregate defeat at the hands of Premier League giants Manchester City, Carlo Ancelotti’s side have bounced back with consecutive La Liga victories. Last seen mounting a stellar comeback away at Europa League winners Sevilla as they eventually secured a 2-1 victory, the former AC Milan boss has seen his side continue to impress on home soil this season. In fact, along with winning each of their last four domestic showdowns at the Bernabeu, it should be highlighted that Los Blancos have lost just a single La Liga defeat in front of their own supporters so far this season. Knowing that there is still work to be done in their bid to claim a silver medal finish, Ancelotti’s men will be hoping to sign off the 2022/23 campaign with a flurry here.

Team News

Heavily linked with a potential blockbuster move to Saudi Arabia this summer, attacking icon Karim Benzema could be set to make his final Real Madrid appearance here. Bagging both goals away at Sevilla last weekend and with six goals in his previous eight appearances across all competitions, Brazilian international Rodrygo should keep his place in attack.

Serving a one-match suspension last weekend, Daniel Carvajal will make a full return to Ancelotti’s squad. However, picking up a recent muscle injury, Mariano Diaz is once again seen as a major doubt at the Bernabeu.

Athletic Bilbao

As for the visitors, while Athletic Bilbao might still be able to pinch a Europa Conference League ticket on Sunday evening, the Lions are in the midst of what has become a hugely worrying run of form. Last seen putting in another toothless display as they slumped to a shocking 1-0 loss at home against Elche, Ernesto Valverde’s men have come under some recent scrutiny. Now losing four of their last five domestic appearances, the former Barcelona boss has also seen his side muster just a single win from any of their previous seven appearances – a run that stems back to April 22nd. With that extended struggle underlined by a woeful 5-1 drumming at the hands of Villarreal, the Basque-based outfit have also lost back-to-back showdowns away from San Mames by an aggregate score of 7-1. Suffering a 2-0 loss when they welcomed Los Blancos to town on January 22nd, Bilbao should face another stern examination when they arrive at the Bernabeu this weekend.

Team News

Dealing with what has become a mounting injury list over the final few weeks, Bilbao will be without the likes of Yeray Alvarez, Inigo Martinez and Jon Morcillo. Likewise, missing back-to-back La Liga appearances, former Manchester United midfield Ander Herrera is once again seen as a doubt on Sunday evening.

Notching six La Liga strikes since returning from March’s international break, attacking talisman Inaki Williams will have a crucial role to play in the capital. 36-year-old Raul Garcia could be handed a full recall here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their reverse La Liga meeting on January 22nd, Real Madrid picked up a 2-0 victory at San Mames.
• Los Blancos have suffered just a single La Liga defeat at the Bernabeu this season.
• Athletic Bilbao have lost four of their last five meetings against top-flight opposition.
• Likewise, Sunday’s guests have recorded just a single win from any of their previous seven La Liga appearances.
• Five of the last six meetings between Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao have finished with under 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

Knowing that there is still work to be done in their bid to claim a silver medal finish this weekend, Real Madrid will be desperate to end their downbeat La Liga campaign with a flurry here. Managing to secure back-to-back top-flight wins for the first time since September, Los Blancos should be confident of making a final day marker here. Landing a 2-0 victory when they travelled to San Mames for their reverse La Liga showdown on January 22nd, the Spanish icons have continued to shine on home soil this season. Losing just a single top-tier showdown at the Bernabeu on either side of the World Cup’s winter break, a struggling Athletic Bilbao should face another tough challenge in the capital. Losing four of their previous five domestic outings, a home victory can be found at appealing odds this weekend.

Verdict: Real Madrid win 

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Olympusbet