Match preview for Real Madrid v Athletic Bilbao
Real Madrid will hope to put their Champions League disappointment behind them on Sunday when they host Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Madrid saw their hopes of successfully defending the Champions League come to an emphatic end on Wednesday as a 2-1 home defeat to Arsenal capped a 5-1 aggregate loss in the quarter-finals.
That exit has substantially increased scrutiny on coach Carlo Ancelotti, whose future at the club now seems in significant doubt.
A route for Ancelotti, who has been linked with the vacant Brazil job, to extend his time at Madrid would be to reel in Barcelona in the LaLiga title race.
Barca lead Madrid by four points and are clear favourites to reclaim the title from their arch rivals given Los Blancos’ unconvincing recent form.
And there is potential for things to get worse for Madrid and Ancelotti, with Athletic dangerous opposition who are chasing their own lofty goal of Champions League qualification.
Athletic progressed to the semi-finals of the Europa League on Thursday with a 2-0 win over Rangers, moving them a step closer to a home final at San Mames.
Winning that competition would secure Champions League football for Athletic. However, with Champions League places going to LaLiga’s top five, they are well-placed to secure a berth through their league position.
Athletic sit fourth in LaLiga, nine points clear of sixth-placed Real Betis with seven games to go.
Save for a home game with Barcelona on the final day, a trip to the Bernabeu represents Athletic’s biggest test, though it’s one they can attack with confidence having won the reverse fixture 2-1 in December.
Team news for Real Madrid v Athletic Bilbao
Madrid will be without Kylian Mbappe as he serves a one-match suspension after being sent off against Alaves.
The hosts welcome Eduardo Camavinga back following his European suspension. Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal (both knee) remain out, but Ferland Mendy and Andriy Lunin are candidates to return from muscle injuries.
Inaki Williams is dealing with an adductor injury for Athletic, and Yuri Berchiche is likely to miss out again with a muscle problem.
Expected line-ups for Real Madrid v Athletic Bilbao
Real Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, F Garcia; Camavinga, Bellingham, Tchouameni; Brahim, Rodrygo, Vinicius
Athletic Bilbao: Simon; Gorosabel, Vivian, Paredes, Lekue; Jauregizar, Prados; Berenguer, Sancet, N Williams; Guruzeta
The stats
- Madrid have not lost at home to Athletic in LaLiga since a 2-0 defeat in 2005.
- Athletic have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six games, though they drew a blank themselves in three of those games.
- Madrid have conceded at least two goals in five of their last six games. They have not kept a clean sheet at home since February.
How to watch Real Madrid v Athletic Bilbao
In the UK, the game will be broadcast on Premier Sports 1 (subscription required). It can also be streamed on Premier Sports Player and on subscription service LaLiga TV. Bet365 customers can stream the game online or via the bet365app.
Prediction
Madrid have shown nothing to suggest they are improving defensively and, without Mbappe, they have do not have as many weapons with which to break down a stubborn Athletic defence. A bad week could get a lot worse for Ancelotti.
Prediction: Real Madrid 1-2 Athletic Bilbao
