Real Madrid vs Athletic Club Bilbao – La Liga – Preview

Posted on October 23, 2016 by Sreya

Real Madrid vs Athletic Club Bilbao – Real Madrid host Athletic Club Bilbao at Santiago Bernabeu in a crucial La Liga fixture on 23rd October, Sunday. Real Madrid are third in La Liga standings with eighteen points from their eight matches – trailing Atletico Madrid (who play Sevilla a few hours earlier) on goal difference and Barcelona (who have an extra game under their belt) by one point.

Athletic Club Bilbao are three points and three positions behind Real Madrid – the Basque club losing three of their eight matches so far in the competition.

Both these clubs tasted victories in their previous league fixtures – Zinedine Zidane’s side destroying Real Betis in a 6-1 win while Atletico Madrid secured a hard fought 3-2 triumph over Real Sociedad.

Team News

Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric and Casemiro are sidelined through injuries for Real Madrid. Athletic Club Bilbao will be without the injured Aketxe and Inigo Lekue while Balenziaga is suspended. Enenko Boveda, Aduriz, De Marcos and Yeray are doubtful as well.

Real Madrid Possible Starting Lineup: Keylor Navas, Daniel Carvajal, Raphael Varane, Pepe, Marcelo, Isco, Toni Kroos, Mateo Kovacic, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Athletic Club Bilbao Possible Starting Lineup: Gorka Iraizoz, Eneko Boveda, Etxeita, Aymeric Laporte, Enric Saborte, Benat, San Jose, Inaki Williams, Raul Garcia, Ikai Muniain, Aduriz.

Contributor’s Pick

According to Real Madrid vs Athletic Club Bilbao H2H Stats, Real Madrid have won three and lost only one of their previous five La Liga encounters with the Basque club.

In fact, Real Madrid have won twenty one of their last twenty four matches against Athletic Club in all competitions. While Real Madrid are undefeated in their last twenty matches in the La Liga, Athletic Club Bilbao have won five of their six previous league fixtures.

The contest for the Spanish Primera Division title has been a close one and Real Madrid must prevent any blemishes to ensure they maintain the pressure on Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.

Real Madrid are likely to win by a 2-1 scoreline.