Will Bilbao slow down the Royals?
No “Remontada”: Real Madrid has been knocked out of the Champions League! The Royals were defeated again in their second match against the Gunners and had to throw in the towel with a clear overall result. In La Liga, the next setback looms on matchday 32. On Sunday evening, Carlo Ancelotti’s team will face the fourth-placed team from the Basque Country. Our Real Madrid vs. Athletic Bilbao tip is for the visitors to win points.
The Basques are by no means to be underestimated. In the first half of the season, Bilbao already picked up three points against Real Madrid. It is quite possible that the Lions will surprise the favorites from Madrid again this time – and thus extend their current winning streak. Bilbao has remained unbeaten in its last eight competitive games.
During the week, Bilbao also secured their place in the semi-finals of the Europa League, keeping their chances of winning a title on the international stage alive. If they can carry the momentum from the last few weeks into this game, the Basques are capable of picking up a point against the championship contenders from Madrid.
Real Madrid – Statistics & current form
Real Madrid are currently falling short of high expectations. The Royals have failed to impress on both the domestic and international stage. In the Champions League, Ancelotti’s team were eliminated by the Gunners from London with a clear aggregate score of 1-5. In La Liga, on the other hand, there was a surprising defeat against Valencia. In addition, Real only managed a narrow victory at Alavés last time out.
In their current form, Sunday’s big game against Bilbao could not have come at a worse time. The Royals already lost to the Basques in the first leg. After their European exit in midweek, it cannot be ruled out that Real Madrid will also come up short in the return leg against Bilbao. Among other things, their recent goal tally speaks against them.
Real Madrid have scored only three goals in their last four competitive games. On Sunday evening, Bilbao, La Liga’s strongest defense, will be the visitors to the Bernabéu. It is therefore not out of the question that Real Madrid, who have the second-strongest attack in the league with 64 goals in 31 games, will fail to produce an offensive spectacle. Especially since star player Kylian Mbappé is also missing.
Another winless streak at the Bernabéu?
The Royals have not won any of their last three home games in all competitions. The Madrid side have suffered three defeats in these three encounters. However, the head-to-head record in Madrid is encouraging ahead of the match against the Basques. Real Madrid have not lost a single home game against Bilbao since February 2005.
The last time Bilbao visited Madrid, Real Madrid prevailed 2-0 against the Basques. It was the third league match in a row in which the three-goal mark between the two clubs was not broken in Madrid.
Betting on a low-scoring encounter is by no means out of the question this time around either. Carlo Ancelotti will have to do without at least five players in Sunday’s match against Bilbao. Among them is Kylian Mbappé. The Frenchman was sent off against Alavés after a hard tackle on an opponent. With 22 goals to his name, Mbappé is the top scorer in the Royal ranks.
Athletic Bilbao – Statistics & current form
Bilbao continues its international fairy tale and is in the semifinals of the Europa League. After a draw in the first leg against Glasgow Rangers, the traditional club from the Basque Country prevailed with a home win in the second leg and is now in the semifinals of the Europa League for the first time since the 2011/12 season.
The Basques even reached the Europa League final back then. It was only against league rivals Atlético Madrid that the Lions were defeated and missed out on the title. Considering how strong Bilbao has been this season, there is a realistic chance of them winning the Europa League in 2024/25.
In La Liga, on the other hand, Bilbao is aiming for a place in the Champions League. After 31 matchdays, Ernesto Valverde’s team is in fourth place in the table, nine points ahead of sixth-placed Betis Sevilla. As expected, the Lions have picked up most of their points at home. However, Bilbao should not be underestimated away from home either.
Will Bilbao continue its recent away run?
In their 15 away games in the current league season, the Basques have a record of 6-6-3. Ernesto Valverde’s team has not lost any of its last three competitive games on foreign soil. In La Liga, they picked up a point at Villarreal and celebrated a win at Sevilla FC.
The Basque side, currently fourth in the table, are now looking to pick up more points against the Blancos from Madrid. Anyone who wants to bet on the visitors in Real Madrid vs. Athletic Bilbao can use a free bet with no deposit required. All you need to do to claim the free bet is verify your account.
Ernesto Valverde has a full squad to choose from against the Royals from Madrid and has no major personnel concerns. Compared to the team that played in the European Cup during the week, no major changes are expected for the Basques.
Real Madrid – Athletic Bilbao Head-to-head record / H2H record
In the last 211 meetings between the two clubs, Real Madrid leads the head-to-head record against Athletic Bilbao with a record of 109-37-64. However, Los Blancos lost their last league match against the Basques. In the first half of the current league season, they suffered a 1-2 defeat against Bilbao. Real Madrid remained unbeaten in the four competitive matches prior to that.
In the last seven head-to-head matches, the three-goal mark has only been broken once. Betting on under 2.5 goals is therefore by no means out of the question.
Real Madrid – Athletic Bilbao Tip
Real Madrid cannot afford to drop any points in the championship race. Each of the remaining second-half matches is a “do or die” affair – including the upcoming match against Bilbao. After being knocked out of the European Cup by Arsenal London, it remains to be seen what attitude the Royals will take into the league duel against the Basques, who are in good form.
Bilbao are unbeaten in eight competitive games in a row. In these eight matches, the Basques have a record of 4-4-0 and have also secured their place in the semi-finals of the Europa League. Ernesto Valverde’s team are now traveling to Madrid for the league clash with their heads held high.
We think the visitors from the Basque Country are capable of springing a surprise. Our Real Madrid vs. Athletic Bilbao tip is for under 2.5 goals in the game at odds of 2.08. We are putting five units on our prediction. Risk-taking bettors can also venture a bet on the “Double Chance X2.” Real Madrid has lost its last three competitive games in a row at the Bernabeu.
