Real Madrid Aiming to Bounce Back in La Liga Clash Against Undefeated Athletic Bilbao
Real Madrid will look to reclaim the top spot in La Liga when they travel to face an undefeated Athletic Bilbao at the San Mamés on Wednesday. The Blancos are just a point behind league leaders Barcelona, with a game in hand, and will be eager to bounce back from their recent Champions League struggles.
Athletic Bilbao, meanwhile, are enjoying a stellar run of form and enter the match unbeaten in their last nine games across all competitions. Ernesto Valverde’s men have proven to be a formidable opponent at home, losing only once at San Mamés in their last 26 La Liga fixtures.
While Real Madrid have been dominant domestically, their Champions League campaign has been far from convincing. Three defeats in five games have left them on the brink of elimination, raising questions about their defensive vulnerability against top attacking sides.
Athletic Club’s physicality and pressing game could pose a significant challenge for Real Madrid’s defense. Valverde will likely deploy his favored 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on possession play to break down the visitors.
Real Madrid center-backs, Antonio Rüdiger and Eder Militao, will need to be at their best to contain the threat of Bilbao’s strikers, Oihan Sancet and Inaki Williams.
Kickoff
The La Liga clash between Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid kicks off at 3:00 p.m. ET (9:00 p.m. local time) on Wednesday, December 4th, at San Mamés in Bilbao, Spain.
How to Watch
The match will be streamed live on ESPN+ in the United States.
Predicted Lineups
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Athletic Bilbao (4-2-3-1, right to left): Simon (GK) — De Marcos, Vivian, Yeray, Yuri — Ruiz de Galarreta, Prados — I Williams, Sancet, N Williams — Djalo
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Real Madrid (4-3-3, right to left): Courtois (GK)— Vazquez, Rüdiger, Asensio, F Garcia— Ceballos, Valverde, Bellingham— Guler, Mbappe, Diaz
Injured:
- Athletic Bilbao: None
- Real Madrid: Vinicius Jr., Camavinga, Militao, Carvajal, Alaba
Suspended:
- Athletic Bilbao: None
- Real Madrid: None
Prediction:
Athletic Club’s home advantage and recent impressive form make them a tough opponent for Real Madrid. The Los Blancos, however, possess firepower and experience that could prove decisive. Expect a closely contested encounter, with Real Madrid ultimately securing a hard-fought victory.
- Prediction: Athletic Club 1-2 Real Madrid
La Liga Fixture Schedule This Week (All Times ET)
- Tuesday, December 3rd
- Real Mallorca v Barcelona (1:00 p.m.)
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Wednesday, December 4th
- Athletic Bilbao v Real Madrid (3:00 p.m.)
- Friday, December 6th
- Celta Vigo v Real Mallorca (3:00 p.m.)
- Saturday, December 7th
- Las Palmas v Real Valladolid (8:00 a.m.)
- Real Betis v Barcelona(10:15 a.m.)
- Valencia v Rayo Vallecano (12:30 p.
– How will the intimidating atmosphere of San Mamés affect Real Madrid’s performance?
## Real Madrid Faces Tough Test Against In-Form Athletic Bilbao
**Interviewer:** Welcome back to the show. With us today we have renowned football analyst, [[Guest Name]], to discuss the upcoming La Liga clash between Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao. [[Guest Name]], Real Madrid needs a win to reclaim the top spot, but they face a tough opponent in undefeated Bilbao?
**Guest:** Absolutely. Bilbao has been on a tear lately, showing great form both domestically and in Europe. They’re defensively solid at home, and their high-pressing style can make life difficult for even the best teams. This will be a real test for Real Madrid, especially coming off their Champions League struggles.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned their Champions League performance. Do you think those struggles will affect them coming into this match?
**Guest:** It’s hard to say for sure. Champions League and La Liga are different beasts, but a loss can definitely knock confidence. Real Madrid needs to be mentally tough and put those disappointments behind them.
**Interviewer:** Athletic Bilbao’s home ground, San Mamés, is known for its passionate fans and intimidating atmosphere. How might that affect the game?
**Guest:** It’ll definitely be a factor. Bilbao feeds off the energy of their fans, and San Mamés can be a very difficult place for visiting teams. Real Madrid will need to stay focused and not let the atmosphere get to them.
**Interviewer:** What are some key matchups to watch out for?
**Guest:** I think the battle in midfield will be crucial. Bilbao’s pressing game hinges on their midfielders winning the ball back quickly. Real Madrid will need to be sharp in possession and find ways to bypass that pressure.
Additionally, the center-back pairing of Rüdiger and Militão for Real Madrid will have their hands full containing Bilbao’s attacking trio of Sancet, Williams, and [mention other key attacking player if applicable].
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, do you think Real Madrid can overcome these challenges and secure the win?
**Guest:** It’s definitely not going to be easy. Bilbao is a very good team, and they’re playing with a lot of confidence right now. But Real Madrid also has the quality and experience to win this game. I think it will be a close and exciting match, and I’m really looking forward to it.
**Interviewer:** Thanks so much for your insightful analysis, [[Guest Name]]. We appreciate your time.
**Guest:** My pleasure.
