After a run of three games without a win, Real Madrid will be desperate to return to winning ways when they hit the road to face Athletic Club.
Having lost the top spot in La Liga after a poor run, Real Madrid will hope to stay within touching distance of league leaders Barcelona with a win over Athletic Club, who have been in a mixed run of form of late.
The home team are eighth on the table with 20 points in their 14 outings, thanks to six wins, two draws and six defeats. While the Basque outfit have lost three out of their last five outings, they are heading into this fixture on the back of a 2-0 win over Levante.
While it was not their best performance, Athletic Club were clinical in the final third and did get the job done. Having just returned to winning ways, Los Leoes will now look to stun Real Madrid at home.
Meanwhile, the visitors have slipped down to second on the points table after playing out three draws in a row. After a sensational start to the season, things are not looking that great for Xabi Alonso’s team following their recent performances.
Not only have they played three straight draws in La Liga, but Los Blancos have also only won one out of their last five outings in all competitions. The pressure has slowly started mounting on Xabi Alonso, who will be eager to secure all three points here. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Athletic Club
Ernesto Valverde has received a boost as Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta returns after serving a suspension. However, Oihan Sancet remains on the sidelines due to a ban. The hosts do have a lot of injury concerns. Benat Prados, Unai Egiluz, Maroan Sannadi, and Robert Navarro are all out injured, while Inaki Williams is a major doubt for this fixture.
The home team will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Unai Simon will take charge in goal. Andoni Gorosabel and Yuri Berchiche will be the full-backs, while Aymeric Laporte will partner with Dani Vivian in the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Ruiz de Galarreta and Mikel Jauregizar will form the double pivot in the middle of the park. They will shield the Athletic Club backline and look to ensure the Real Madrid midfielders do not dictate the pace of the game.
Alejandro Berenguer and Nico Williams will feature on the flanks, providing much-needed width to their attacks. Selton Sanchez could get a rare start in the number ten role. Meanwhile, Unai Gomez could lead the line for Athletic Club against Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Simon; Gorosabel, Laporte, Vivian, Berchiche; Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar; Berenguer, Sanchez, N Williams; Gomez
Real Madrid
Dani Carvajal remains on the sidelines for the visitors, while Dean Huijsen, David Alaba and Raul Asencio will all need to be assessed ahead of kick-off.
The visitors could line up in a 4-3-1-2 formation, where Thibaut Courtois will continue in goal. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alvaro Carreras are expected to be the full-backs for this fixture, while Eder Militao will continue to partner Antonio Rudiger in central defence.
As for the midfield unit, Eduardo Camavinga could start alongside Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde in the middle of the park ahead of Arda Guler. The trio will look to ensure they dominate the proceedings.
Finally, Jude Bellingham should feature in the number ten role, while Vinicius Junior will partner with Kylian Mbappe in the offensive third.
Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Militao, Rudiger, Carreras; Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni; Bellingham; Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
Key Stats
- Real Madrid have only won one out of their last five games in all competitions.
- Athletic Club have only won two out of their last six games in La Liga, including three defeats.
- Los Blancos have lost the top spot in La Liga after a run of three games without a win (3 straight draws).
- The team in white have the best away record in the league, having picked up 15 points in their eight outings.
- The Lions secured a 2-1 win in the corresponding fixture last season.
Player to Watch
Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe has been one of the most in-form forwards in all of Europe this season. The 26-year-old has 23 goals and three assists in his 19 outings across competitions.
While the French international has contributed towards two goals in their last three league outings, he hasn’t really had the kind of impact he had in the previous outings. With Real Madrid dropping points in all those fixtures, Mbappe will be fired up to get back to his best and help his team return to winning ways.
Prediction
Athletic Club 1-2 Real Madrid
Real Madrid travel to San Mames under growing pressure, with three consecutive league draws costing them top spot in La Liga. Xabi Alonso’s men have struggled for rhythm in recent weeks, but the quality in their ranks means they remain a threat in any fixture.
Athletic Club, meanwhile, come into this clash with renewed confidence after getting back to winning ways against Levante. While their recent form has been inconsistent, Ernesto Valverde’s side always raise their level at San Mames and have the pace in wide areas to trouble Real Madrid’s backline.
However, with the visitors desperate to end their winless run and boasting the firepower to make the difference in tight moments, Real Madrid might just edge this encounter. The Hard Tackle predicts a hard-fought 2-1 win for the away team.