Athletic Bilbao welcome Real Madrid to San Mames for a midweek LaLiga clash on Wednesday evening. The Basque side enter this fixture following a 2-1 away victory over Rayo Vallecano at the weekend, while Los Blancos come into the match after a comfortable 2-0 home win against Getafe. This traditional Spanish football fixture at the iconic San Mames stadium pits two in-form sides against each other in what promises to be an intriguing league encounter.
How to watch Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid on TV and online in the UK
UK viewers can catch Bilbao vs Los Blancos live on LaLiga TV, Premier Sports 1, and Premier Sports Extra, while bet365 customers can stream the match through their betting platform.
Expert predictions for Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid
Athletic Club and Real Madrid are set for a closely contested battle according to the bookies' predictions, with Los Blancos holding a slight edge. The numbers suggest Real have a 38.49% chance of taking all three points at San Mamés, while the Lions' victory probability stands at 34.34%. The possibility of points being shared sits at 27.14%, highlighting just how tight this clash could be. bet365's odds paint a similar picture, with Real Madrid installed as marginal favourites at 2.3, while Athletic are priced at 3.2 to secure a home win. The draw is available at 3.3, and these odds reflect the competitive nature of this fixture between two of Spanish football's most historic clubs. The relatively balanced probabilities suggest we're in for a proper end-to-end affair in the Basque Country.
Athletic Bilbao Recent Performances
Athletic Bilbao have been in fine fettle recently, showcasing impressive form across both domestic and European competitions. The Basque outfit have gone unbeaten in their last six matches, with their most recent triumph coming away at Rayo Vallecano where they secured a solid 2-1 victory. At their San Mamés fortress, they've been particularly formidable, notching up a convincing 3-0 win against IF Elfsborg in the Europa League and edging out local rivals Real Sociedad in a tight 1-0 derby victory. The Lions have displayed remarkable resilience on their travels, picking up positive results consistently. Their away form has been particularly noteworthy, securing a draw at Valladolid and an impressive Europa League victory at Ludogorets. Their defensive organisation has been top-drawer, conceding just four goals in their last six outings whilst maintaining a consistent goal-scoring threat. This balanced approach has seen Athletic establish themselves as a proper tough nut to crack, regardless of whether they're playing at home or away.
Athletic Bilbao Match Statistics
Los Blancos have experienced quite a mixed bag in their recent away outings, showing both brilliance and vulnerability on their travels. The Spanish giants put in a commanding performance at Leganes, cruising to a comfortable 3-0 victory, but they've also faced some setbacks on the road. A disappointing night at Anfield saw them succumb to a 2-0 defeat against Liverpool in the Champions League, highlighting some defensive frailties away from the Bernabéu. The Royal Whites have shown they can be quite the Jekyll and Hyde outfit on their travels this term. While they've managed to bang in some goals, notably putting three past AC Milan at the San Siro, they've also had their fair share of defensive wobbles. Their away form has been particularly unpredictable in recent weeks, with the team either looking absolutely brilliant or somewhat off the boil, with very little middle ground. This inconsistency might be a bit of a concern for the Madrid faithful, especially considering the high standards they're accustomed to.
Past meetings between Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid
Real Madrid have thoroughly dominated their recent encounters with Athletic Bilbao, winning nine of their last 13 meetings, including their most recent clash which saw Los Blancos secure a comfortable 2-0 victory at home. The Madrid giants have shown remarkable consistency both home and away, notching up four wins at the Bernabéu and an even more impressive five victories at San Mamés, demonstrating their ability to handle the typically intimidating atmosphere in Bilbao. The Lions have struggled to make much of an impact in this fixture, managing just two wins across these meetings, split evenly between home and away successes. Athletic's resilience has shown through in forcing two draws, but they've found it particularly challenging to contain Real's attacking prowess, with Los Blancos consistently having the upper hand in this matchup. The recent head-to-head record heavily favours the capital club, who've established themselves as Athletic's bogey team in recent years.
League Standings: Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid
Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid are both in the thick of La Liga's top-four battle, with Los Blancos currently occupying second spot while the Basque outfit sit fourth in the table. The Lions' impressive campaign has them firmly in the Champions League places, while Madrid remain in the hunt for the title. Both sides are enjoying strong domestic form, with Athletic continuing their traditional strength at San Mames and Real maintaining their usual presence near the summit of Spanish football.
