Real Madrid vs Athletic Club | La Liga Preview

Real Madrid will be looking to solidify their second-place finish in La Liga when they welcome Athletic Club to the Santiago Bernabéu on Friday evening. With Barcelona having already wrapped up the title, this fixture carries different motivations for both sides as the season draws to a close.

Los Blancos have been in excellent form recently, putting together an impressive run that has seen them win the majority of their last five matches. Their attacking output has been particularly strong at home, where they've averaged over two goals per game this season. With 73 goals scored in 37 matches, Real Madrid's firepower remains one of their greatest assets, though they'll be without some key contributors for this encounter.

Athletic Club arrive in the capital in a more precarious position, sitting 12th in the table with just 45 points from their 37 games. The Basque side has struggled for consistency throughout the campaign, managing only 13 wins compared to Real Madrid's 26. Their away form has been particularly concerning, with just four victories on the road all season. They've found the back of the net only 41 times, highlighting their offensive struggles that have plagued them all year.

Real Madrid will be significantly weakened by several key absences. Rodrygo's knee injury rules out one of their most dangerous attacking threats, while defensive stalwart Eder Militão and versatile full-back Ferland Mendy are both sidelined with muscle problems. The fitness concerns don't end there, with Vinicius Junior listed as questionable due to rest considerations, though this may be tactical rotation given the season's stage. Aurélien Tchouaméni and Arda Güler are also doubtful with muscle injuries, potentially limiting Carlo Ancelotti's midfield options.

Athletic Club face their own personnel issues, with Nico Williams ruled out through a hamstring injury. The pacy winger has been one of their few bright sparks this season, and his absence will be keenly felt. Yuri Berchiche misses the match through suspension after accumulating yellow cards, while Oihan Sancet and Dani Vivian are both questionable with muscle and ankle problems respectively.

The head-to-head record strongly favors Real Madrid, who have dominated this fixture in recent years. Their most recent meeting in December saw Los Blancos cruise to a comfortable 3-0 victory at San Mamés, continuing a pattern of Real Madrid victories in this matchup. Athletic managed a rare win over Real Madrid in December 2024 with a 2-1 home victory, but that result stands out as an exception rather than the rule.

Both teams have typically favored attacking formations this season, with Real Madrid varying between 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1 setups, while Athletic have almost exclusively used a 4-2-3-1 formation. This should make for an open game, particularly given Athletic's need for points and Real Madrid's desire to maintain their high standards.

Despite their injury concerns, Real Madrid's superior quality and home advantage should prove decisive. Athletic Club's poor away record and lack of cutting edge in attack suggests they'll struggle to trouble a Real Madrid side that has been defensively solid at the Bernabéu. Expect a comfortable 2-0 victory for the hosts, with their greater depth compensating for the missing stars.