Real Madrid vs Athletic Club: match preview

Real Madrid will hope to take another big step towards their La Liga title ambitions as they host an intriguing Athletic Club side. The Santiago Bernabeu will see this match played out on Sunday, with the hosts leading the title race by a mile.

This highly anticipated clash is set to headline the 30th round of the La Liga campaign. Both teams are coming into this encounter with a lot on the line, making it a must-watch match for football enthusiasts.

Real Madrid, the current leaders of La Liga, have been in exceptional form this season, showcasing their dominance with twenty-two wins, six draws, and only one defeat in their 29 matches. Los Blancos are at the top of the standings with 72 points and have a five-point lead over Barcelona, after the latter got a 1-0 victory over Las Palmas in this round.

Athletic Club, on the other hand, are fourth in the standings with 56 points, but they have Atletico Madrid hot on their heels, just a point behind. While Real Madrid have the distraction of an upcoming Champions League match against Manchester City, Athletic have no such difficult ties awaiting them.

The Galacticos’ impressive run of results includes recent victories over Celta Vigo and Osasuna, where they displayed their attacking finesse by netting eight goals. But Carlo Ancelotti’s side faces challenges due to the unavailability of key players like Vinicius Junior and injuries to Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba.

Still, Real Madrid, led by players like Jude Bellingham, Vinicius, and Rodrygo, remains a formidable force, especially at home, where they have gathered 38 points from 14 matches.

Conversely, Athletic Bilbao, under Ernesto Valverde’s guidance, have also enjoyed a successful campaign. The Basque team has been consistent, winning against challenging opposition and holding onto their Champions League qualifying spots.

Gorka Guruzeta’s recent brace against Alaves shows Athletic’s attacking threat, supported by players like Inaki Williams and Nico Williams. Athletic has performed admirably at home, but they have struggled at away fixtures, winning just one of their previous five games.

Head-to-head history favours Real Madrid, who have dominated their recent encounters with Athletic, including a 2-0 victory in their previous meeting. However, Athletic managed to hold Real Madrid to a draw at Bernabéu last season, demonstrating their ability to play against the best clubs in the league.

Regarding the team selection, Real Madrid will miss Vinicius Junior due to suspension, while injuries to Courtois and Alaba could impact their defensive setup. Real Madrid will miss Camavinga’s creativity and versatility as he is sidelined with an ankle injury that he picked up during the international break.

Things are also not entirely rosy for Los Leones, who will miss the services of Paredes and Herrera and will have to rely on Guruzeta’s goal-scoring form as well as the inventiveness of Inaki Williams and Nico Williams.

Overall, the two La Liga giants will square off in an intriguing match, with Real Madrid aiming to extend their lead at the top while Athletic seeking to strengthen their Champions League aspirations. With star players on both sides eager to make an impact, fans can expect a thrilling encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu.