Real Madrid vs Athletic Club Preview
Real Madrid vs Athletic Club will take place in La Liga on March 31 as the league leaders prepare to host the fourth-placed side at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The hosts will enter this game on the back of a great run of form. Los Blancos are unbeaten in their last 12 games across competitions and have been on fire. In that run, they have recorded eight wins and four draws. They have scored a remarkable 26 goals and conceded just 10 as they strengthen their grip on pole position. Their last outing was a comfortable 4-2 win against Osasuna at their patch as Vinicius Junior grabbed a brace. Real were looking to extend their unbeaten streak.
The visitors, on the other hand, will enter this game in pretty good form themselves. With just one defeat in their last 11 games across competitions, Athletic Club looks like a tough team to beat. In that run, they also recorded seven wins and three draws. They scored 20 goals in that span and conceded just seven as they have looked formidable defensively. Their last outing was a comfortable 2-0 win over Alaves at home and they were looking to repeat that performance.
With that said, let’s take a look at the team news coming out of both camps.
Real Madrid vs Athletic Club Team News
Real Madrid
Manager Carlo Ancelotti will have been relieved seeing his team’s injury list shorten significantly over the last few weeks. Thibaut Courtois, David Alaba, and Eder Militao are the only players injured currently. All three are in the latter stages of recovering from cruciate ligament injuries and will enter the final stages before making their return.
Courtois could take longer than the other two as he faced a meniscus injury in his other leg that could possibly rule him out for another month or so. Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham will serve the second of his two-match ban and will be ineligible for selection after his red card against Valencia.
Athletic Club
Manager Ernesto Valverde, too, will have a short injury list to deal with ahead of his team’s trip to the Spanish capital. Key players Inigo Lekue and Yuri Berchiche have missed the club’s last few games and could make their return to action soon.
Meanwhile, Aitor Paredes served his suspension after his fifth yellow card and missed the game against Alaves. He will now be eligible for selection once again.
Real Madrid vs Athletic Club Predicted Lineups
Real Madrid
Ancelotti will stick with the same lineup that secured the win in the last game.
Predicted XI: Andriy Lunin (GK); Daniel Carvajal (C), Aurelien Tchouameni, Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy; Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Toni Kroos; Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, Brahim Diaz.
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Athletic Club
Valverde will bring Paredes back into the fold, with Yeray Alvarez returning to the bench.
Predicted XI: Unai Simon (GK); Oscar de Marcos (C), Daniel Vivian, Aitor Paredes, Inigo Lekue; Benat Prados, Inigo Ruiz; Inaki Williams, Unai Gomez, Nico Williams; Gorka Guruzeta.
Real Madrid vs Athletic Club Head-to-Head Record
These two Spanish giants have met at least twice every season for the better part of the last two decades. However, in recent times, Real Madrid have been the dominant force, leading the head-to-head with three wins to Athletic Club’s one, with the teams sharing one draw.
Last 5 Games
- Athletic Club 0-2 Real Madrid (08/23)
- Real Madrid 1-1 Athletic Club (06/23)
- Athletic Club 0-2 Real Madrid (01/23)
- Athletic Club 1-0 Real Madrid (02/22)
- Real Madrid 2-0 Athletic Club (01/22)
Real Madrid vs Athletic Club Prediction
Real Madrid have maintained a good record against Athletic Club but doesn’t seem to go past third gear during these games very often. The last time they scored more than two goals was back in December 2020, when they won 3-1 at the Bernabeu.
Going by history, Real Madrid are favourites. But if current form is any indicator, Athletic Club have also been formidable in recent times and could make the hosts sweat for the points. This game could end in a hard-fought win for Real.
Prediction: Real Madrid 2-1 Athletic Club.
Real Madrid vs Athletic Club Betting Tips & Odds
Real Madrid have scored exactly two goals in three of the last five meetings between these two teams. Additionally, Athletic Club have not won at the Santiago Bernabeu since their 2-0 win back in February 2005. This tilts the tables heavily in Los Blancos’ favor.
Betting Tips
- Both Teams to Score – Yes: 1.84
- Match Total – Over 2.5 Goals: 1.77
- Team Total – Real Madrid Over 2.0: 2.21
Match Odds
- Real Madrid Win: 1.58
- Draw: 4.40
- Athletic Club Win: 5.70
Real Madrid vs Athletic Club Timings & Telecast
- Date & Time: Sunday, March 31st at 8:00 PM (GMT).
- India: Sports18, JioCinema app & website.
- UK: ITV, Viaplay.
- US: ESPN+.
- Spain: DAZN
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