Athletic Club vs Real Madrid – Preview, H2H, Line-ups, Prediction | La Liga 2021-22

Daniel Carvajal of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring against Real Betis
Daniel Carvajal of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring against Real Betis - IMAGO / NurPhoto

Real Madrid will look to extend their lead at the top of La Liga table, as they visit Athletic Club on Wednesday night.

Venue: San Mames

Key Statistics – Athletic Club vs Real Madrid

  • Athletic Club have failed to win any of their last six games against Real Madrid at home (L4 D2).
  • The Basque club have scored the least number of goals (15) than any other teams in La Liga this season.
  • Los Blancos have won seven of their nine away matches in La Liga this season.
  • The home side are at the top of the table with 43 points while Athletic Club are in the ninth position with 24 points.
  • Real Madrid defeated Athletic Club 1-0 in the reverse fixture earlier this month.

Head to Head

Real Madrid are superior to Athletic Bilbao in terms of head to head records, winning 118 out of 236 games played between the two sides. The Basque club have managed only 73 wins.

Latest performances in all competitions

Athletic Club: D L D L W

Real Madrid: W W W W D

Athletic Club

Athletic Club managed to end their eight-match winless run with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Real Betis at the weekend, as Inaki Williams scored a match-winning double.

It was also the first time they had scored more than two goals in La Liga and they will look to carry on their momentum.

The Basque club’s substandard attack turned out to be a huge concern before they answered the critics by picking up a morale-boosting win against potential title contenders Betis.

Athletic Club’s rock-solid defence could be the secret weapon against leaders Real Madrid on Wednesday.

Marcelino’s side will look to continue their battle for a spot in the top four and would be at least hoping for a draw.

Possible Athletic Club line-up

Agirrezabala; Oscar De Marcos, Yeray, Unai Nunez, Balenziaga; N Williams, Dani Garcia, Vencedor, Muniain; Raul Garcia, Inaki Williams

Injured: Asier Villalibre, Dani Vivian, Peru Nolaskoain and Yuri Berchiche 

Unavailable (COVID-19): Inigo Martinez, Unai Simon

Suspended: None

Real Madrid

Real Madrid’s impressive 10-match winning streak came to a halt with a goalless draw against Cadiz in La Liga at the weekend.

However, they are six points clear at the top of the table and will look to extend the lead when they face Athletic Club in the midweek clash.

The Spanish capital club were victorious in the reverse fixture against Athletic Bilbao earlier this month, with Karim Benzema, the top scorer of La Liga this season, scoring the winning strike.

The French striker would be eager to return to the scoresheet after previously finding the nets against Atletico Madrid.

It would be a big test for Carlo Ancelotti’s men as Athletic Club boast an impressive defensive record, and the Italian manager would have known it after the reverse fixture at Bernabeu.

Los Blancos’ absentee list has piled up lately after Rodrygo, Gareth Bale, Marco Asensio, Andriy Lunin, Marcelo and Luka Modric tested positive for COVID-19.

It also remains to be seen whether Eden Hazard will be given another chance after failing to make an impact against Cadiz.

Possible Real Madrid line-up

Thibaut Courtois; Nacho, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy; Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Toni Kroos; Lucas Vazquez, Karim Benzema, Vinicius Junior

Injured: Dani Carvajal

Unavailable (COVID-19): Rodrygo, Gareth Bale, Marco Asensio, Andriy Lunin, Marcelo and Luka Modric

Suspended: Casemiro

Prediction

Athletic Club 2 – 0 Real Madrid