Explore My Football Facts’ detailed preview for Real Madrid vs Athletic Club in La Liga. Stats, odds, predictions and line-ups for the 20:00 BST match.
Real Madrid come in with three wins in their last five league games, and the recent 1-0 win at Sevilla suggests they are still capable of controlling tight games. Athletic Club have picked up just one point from their last three league games, so the form line points towards the home side with the strongest base for this one. With no xG data available, the clearest guide is the trend in results and the fact that Real Madrid have also kept clean sheets in two of their last three wins.
Athletic Club have shown they can score, but have also conceded in four of their last five league games, leaving them vulnerable against a Real Madrid side with attacking options. The head-to-head record also tilts in favor of the hosts, with Real Madrid winning four of their last five encounters. On that basis, a home win with both teams scoring seems like the most data-backed angle.
Forms guide and team overview
Real Madrid
Real Madrid arrive in good form in the League, with three wins, a draw and a loss in their last five games. The wins against Sevilla, Real Oviedo and Espanyol came with clean sheets, which highlights a solid defensive base in those games.
Their only defeat in that run was a 2-0 defeat against FC Barcelona, while the 1-1 draw at Real Betis shows that they have also been able to avoid defeat away from home when needed. Overall, recent results suggest a team that generally controls games well enough to stay in winning positions.
Real Madrid Last 5 results
Athletic Club
Athletic Club’s recent league form is less convincing, with one win, one draw and three defeats in their last five. They have failed to win any of their last three, and the 1-1 draw with Celta de Vigo came after back-to-back defeats to Espanyol and Valencia.
The 4-2 win at Deportivo Alavés shows they can still score goals, but the wider pattern is one of defensive inconsistency and vulnerability. Fitting in four of those five games is a concern ahead of a trip to the Bernabéu.
Athletic Club Last 5 results
Team news and injury report
Real Madrid
- Federico Valverde (Head Injury)
Athletic Club
- Nico Williams (Hamstring injury)
Alignments and tactical configuration
Real Madrid (4-3-3)
Expected lineup: Thibaut Courtois (Goalkeeper), Antonio Rüdiger (Defender), Daniel Carvajal (Defender), Dean Huijsen (Defender), Fran García (Defender), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Midfielder), Jude Bellingham (Midfielder), Thiago Pitarch (Midfielder), Brahim Díacker (Attalianp), Vialinician Attabatta (Midfielder)
Real Madrid’s projected 4-3-3 should give them width through Brahim Diaz and Vinicius Junior, while Kylian Mbappé offers a direct central threat. Aurélien Tchouaméni and Jude Bellingham can help them control the midfield and support attacks from deeper areas.
Athletic Club (4-2-3-1)
Expected lineup: Unai Simón (Goalkeeper), Andoni Gorosabel (Defender), Aymeric Laporte (Defender), Yeray Álvarez (Defender), Yuri Berchiche (Defender), Iñaki Williams (Midfielder), Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta (Midfielder), Mikel Jauregizar (Midfielder), Unai Guermez (Midfielder), Gorra (Midfielder), (Midfielder), Gordika (Midfielder). Gruzeta (attacker)
The 4-2-3-1 predicted by Athletic Club gives them a compact midfield base, with Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta and Mikel Jauregizar likely tasked with protecting the back four. The form also leaves Gorka Guruzeta as the main point of reference up front, with the support expected of the wider midfield runners.
