As the La Liga season approaches its climax, Real Madrid and Athletic Club face off in a high-stakes encounter that could prove pivotal in the title race and top-four battle. With Barcelona maintaining a seven-point lead at the summit after a stunning comeback against Celta Vigo, Madrid are under immense pressure to deliver a win at the Santiago Bernabéu this Sunday night.
Real Madrid Recent Form
After suffering a 2-1 defeat at home to Arsenal in the Champions League, Real Madrid’s European hopes came crashing down. Now, their full focus turns to La Liga, where they simply cannot afford another slip-up. Despite a potentially favorable fixture, the Los Blancos must be wary of an in-form Athletic Club side who’ve proven tough to beat in recent months.
Madrid’s predicted starting XI suggests a mix of youth and experience, with Endrick expected to lead the line and Jude Bellingham pulling the creative strings behind him. The midfield duo of Tchouameni and Camavinga will need to dominate to control the pace of the game.
Real Madrid Predicted XI (4-2-3-1):
Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Garcia; Tchouameni, Camavinga; Brahim, Bellingham, Vinicius; Endrick.
Athletic Club Recent Form
Ernesto Valverde’s side are riding high after a 2-0 win over Rangers in the Europa League, pushing them one step closer to a potential final on home soil. However, their La Liga form has been equally impressive, with no defeats since 1 March and a six-point cushion in fourth place.
Athletic’s balanced squad, featuring talents like Nico Williams and Oihan Sancet, will look to hurt Madrid on the counter. With a strong defensive setup and momentum on their side, they’ll be confident of leaving Madrid with points.
Athletic Club Predicted XI (4-2-3-1):
Simon; Gorosabel, Vivian, Paredes, Lekue; Jauregizar, Prados; Berenguer, Sancet, N Williams; Guruzeta.
Prediction: Real Madrid vs Athletic Club
While Real Madrid will be desperate to bounce back and close the gap on Barcelona, Athletic Club’s resilience and form make them formidable opponents. Expect a tightly contested game with high intensity and key moments from star players.
Prediction: Real Madrid 1-0 Athletic Club
