Athletic Club Set to Battle Real Madrid: Key Matchups, Bold Predictions and Starting XI Revealed

Real Madrid's title aspirations in La Liga have suffered following three consecutive draws, making Wednesday's clash against Athletic Club a must-win encounter.

Manager Xabi Alonso faces mounting pressure after Madrid's disappointing form, securing only one win in their previous five matches across all competitions. Consecutive league draws against Rayo Vallecano, Elche and Girona have sparked worry and enabled Barcelona to overtake Los Blancos at the top of the table.

With Villarreal and Atlético Madrid breathing down their necks, the European champions urgently need to halt their domestic winless streak in Bilbao against an Athletic Club team seeking to recapture their previous campaign's excellence. The Basque side currently sits eighth in La Liga and has managed just one victory in five Champions League fixtures this season.

However, Athletic won't be easy opponents despite their mixed results. They secured a 2–1 triumph in this matchup last year, and the passionate San Mamés atmosphere will maintain intensity throughout. Madrid, embarking on their sixth consecutive away fixture, must meet this challenge head-on.

Here is Sports Illustrated's comprehensive preview of the encounter.

What Time Does Athletic Club vs. Real Madrid Kick Off?

Athletic Club vs. Real Madrid Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)

Current Form (All Competitions)

How to Watch Athletic Club vs. Real Madrid on TV, Live Stream

Athletic Club Team News

Ernesto Valverde faces several injury concerns ahead of Madrid's arrival, with Robert Navarro, Unai Eguiluz, Beñat Prados and Maroan Sannadi all currently unavailable. Iñaki Williams isn't definitively ruled out for Athletic but remains questionable having been absent since the Qarabağ victory in late October.

Oihan Sancet represents a key loss as he continues serving his suspension after receiving a red card versus Barcelona, though Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta will rejoin the starting eleven after completing a one-game suspension. Aymeric Laporte will also return following his recovery from illness.

Athletic's prospects depend heavily on Nico Williams, who found the net and impressed during the Levante triumph last weekend.

Athletic Club Predicted Lineup vs. Real Madrid

Athletic Club predicted lineup vs. Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Simón; Gorosabel, Vivian, Laporte, Berchiche; Jauregizar, Ruiz de Galarreta; Berenguer, Gómez, Williams; Guruzeta

Real Madrid Team News

Madrid welcomed back central defenders Antonio Rüdiger and Éder Militão for the Girona encounter, with the former sidelined since September and the latter since the November international break, and both seem set to feature again in Bilbao.

Dean Huijsen, David Alaba and Raúl Asencio all remain uncertain at the back for Alonso, while Dani Carvajal will be absent for the San Mamés trip. Ferland Mendy has recently joined the injury roster and won't return until 2026.

Álvaro Carreras and Eduardo Camavinga are anticipated to regain starting positions after being utilized as substitutes on Sunday, replacing Fran García and Arda Güler.

Franco Mastantuono is available again after rejoining the squad over the weekend, though he remained unused against Girona.

Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs. Athletic Club

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs. Girona (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Militão, Rüdiger, Carreras; Tchouaméni, Camavinga; Valverde, Bellingham; Vinícius; Mbappé

Athletic Club vs. Real Madrid Score Prediction

Is it possible for Madrid to draw four consecutive La Liga fixtures? The scenario seems plausible.

Athletic may not possess last season's defensive solidity, but their home record remains positive, collecting four victories and one draw from seven league matches at San Mamés. The venue consistently challenges visiting teams, particularly those experiencing uncertainty.

Madrid undoubtedly possess the attacking quality to secure maximum points, and the return of crucial defenders could prove decisive, yet their recent performances suggest further dropped points are likely.

Prediction: Athletic Club 1–1 Real Madrid