Real Madrid will look to make it four straight wins in La Liga when they hit the road to square up against Athletic Club at San Mames.
Athletic Club will look to keep their nine-match unbeaten run intact when they host Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid, who are looking to keep the pressure on league leaders Barcelona with another win, at San Mames on Wednesday.
The home team are fourth on the points table with 26 points in their 15 outings. They are being closely followed by Villarreal and RCD Mallorca and will have to keep winning to ensure they retain their spot in the top four.
The Basque giants have been unbeaten in their last five league games and have won their last two league outings. Athletic Club are heading into this one on the back of a 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano. While it was not their best performance, they did get the job done.
Athletic Club are not going to find it easy against Real Madrid, who are currently second on the points table. They might not have had the best of starts to the new season, but the team from Madrid are within touching distance of league leaders Barcelona.
Only a point separates the two teams, and Ancelotti’s men have a game in hand. They are heading into this one on the back of a morale-boosting win over Getafe and despite all the injury concerns, Real Madrid will surely cause serious problems to the home team. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Athletic Club
Ander Herrera has picked up a hamstring injury that has ruled him out of this home game against Madrid. Meanwhile, Oihan Sancet has an ongoing ankle issue, but he is expected to shake it off to be in their starting XI for this fixture. Benat Prados is once again available for selection, having served a suspension last time out.
The home team will go ahead with the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Julen Agirrezabala will be in goal. Oscar de Marcos and Yuri Berchiche will be the full-backs, while Yeray Alvarez will pair up, with Dani Vivian in the heart of the defence.
Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta and Benat Prados will form the double pivot in front of the backline. They will look to shield the backline and ensure the Real Madrid midfielders do not dictate the pace of the game.
Inaki Williams, and Nico Williams will feature on the flanks providing the much-needed width to their attacks. Oihan Sancet will reprise the no. 10 role while Alvaro Djalo will lead the line for Athletic Club against Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Agirrezabala; De Marcos, Vivian, Alvarez, Berchiche; Ruiz de Galarreta, Prados; Inaki Williams, Sancet, Nico Williams; Djalo
Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti remains without the services of Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Eduardo Camavinga, Vinicius Junior. Los Blancos are confident about Aurelien Tchouameni returning to the matchday squad for this fixture. Jude Bellingham was taken off at half-time in their last outing because of a neck issue, but he is expected to be back fit for this one.
The team in white will go ahead with the 4-3-3 formation, where Thibaut Courtois will be in goal. Lucas Vazquez and Fran Garcia should continue as the full-backs, while Raul Asencio should partner Antonio Rudiger in the heart of the defence.
Luka Modric might return to the starting XI for this one. He will start alongside Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham. The trio will look to control the tempo and ensure they have the majority of the ball. Finally, Rodrygo should feature on the right flank, with Kylian Mbappe on the left and Brahim Diaz in a number nine role.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Garcia; Modric, Valverde, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Diaz, Mbappe
Key Stats
- Athletic Club have been unbeaten in their last nine games across competitions, winning each of their last three.
- Ernesto Valverde’s team have won six out of their last eight games at San Mames.
- Athletic Club have not defeated Real Madrid at home since 2015.
- Los Blancos might be struggling in the UEFA Champions League, but they have won each of their last three league games.
- The team in white have been unbeaten in their last 21 league games away from home.
Player to Watch
Kylian Mbappe
The French international bagged his 10th goal for Real Madrid in their last outing. While he did miss quite a few chances in that fixture against Getafe, the 25-year-old is on the right track and could soon return to his very best. He will be eager to make a difference against Athletic Club and secure his team three more points.
Prediction
Athletic Club 1-2 Real Madrid
Athletic Club have been a formidable force in recent weeks; they have not lost a game in around two months and will surely make things difficult for Real Madrid. But, the visitors have enough firepower to go past them. It won’t be that straightforward, but Los Blancos should get the job done at the end of the day. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for the away team.
