ATHLETIC BILBAO
V
REAL MADRID
San Mames
7th March, 2015; 17:00 GMT
Real Madrid visit San Mames in a bid to retain their lead at the top of the Spanish La Liga table. Having slipped to a 1-1 draw against Villarreal, Real Madrid will be keen to earn three points against Athletic Bilbao who havena t lost a game since they dropped points against Barcelona in the first week of February.
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao have been on a good run and have managed to book a spot in the Copa del Rey finals against Barcelona. Ernesto Valverdea s side hasna t lost a game since they faced defeat against Barcelona last month and will put up a strong opposition against Real Madrid who face the daunting task of visiting the San Mames in search of three crucial points.
Athletic Bilbao are currently in the tenth spot in the Spanish La Liga and will hope for a strong performance in the remaining matches in order to move up the table. However Valverde will remember the 5-0 defeat they suffered against Real Madrid earlier this season. Without the services of Ander Iturraspe, Athletic are expected to line up with Mikel Rico and defender Mikel San Jose in the midfield. Oscar de Marcos is likely to start behind Aritz Aduriz who will lead the teama s attack up front. Iker Muniain and Markel Susaeta are expected to start on the wings with Laporte, Carlos Gurpegi, Mikel Balenziaga and Andoni Iraola starting in the defence.
Expected Starting Eleven: Iraizoz (GK); Laporte, Carlos Gurpegi, Mikel Balenziaga, Andoni Iraola; Rico, San Jose, Oscar de Marcos, Muniain, Susaeta; Aritz Aduriz
Real Madrid
Real Madrid will be desperate to earn three points after slipping in their last fixture but Carlos Ancelotti will be aware that a visit to San Mames is not going to be an easy ride for his Galacticos. Real Madrid are currently missing their key midfielder Modric who has been ruled out with an injury along with Sergio Ramos who could make a come-back next week for Carlo Ancelotti. In the absence of Luka Modric, Isco has shone particularly well in his attacking role and the Spaniard will be the player to keep a close eye on as Real Madrid take on Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
Isco will be assisted by the dynamic presence of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale on the wings who have a point to prove after failing to break the stalemate against Villarreal in their last fixture. While Benzema is expected to lead the teama s attack, it will be interesting to see who partners Kroos in the midfield. With Modric absent due to an injury, Carlo Ancelotti is likely to give his new signing Lucas Silva an opportunity to start the game. Khedira and Illarramendi are also in contention for a spot alongside Toni Kroos who has been indispensable for Real Madrid under Carlo Ancelotti.
With Isco and Kroos dictating the pace of the game in the midfield, it will be upto Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema to put Real Madrid in a comfortable position early on in the game. Though the Portuguese is back to scoring goals, he will be looking to play an important role in the game as Real Madrid go looking for three crucial points.
Expected Starting Eleven: Casillas (GK); Varane, Pepe, Marcelo, Carvajal; Isco, Kroos, Silva, Ronaldo, Bale; Benzema
Player To Watch Out
Cristiano Ronaldo remains the player to watch out for as Real Madrid look for the elusive Spanish La Liga title. Carlo Ancelotti will be banking heavily on his star winger to perform as they visit Athletic Bilbao in what will prove to be a feisty Spanish encounter.
Prediction
Athletic Bilbao 1-3 Real Madrid
Blast From The Past
