Real Madrid Face Athletic Club: Key Battles, Bold Predictions, and Expected Lineups Revealed

Nearly every Real Madrid player and supporter will feel a wave of relief as this chaotic season finally draws to a close on Saturday against Athletic Club.

The 15-time European champions have gone back-to-back seasons without lifting a major trophy — an unacceptable stretch for a squad brimming with world-class talent and seasoned winners. Beyond the trophy drought, a fractured dressing room has further tarnished the campaign, reducing the world's most storied club to something resembling a soap opera.

The turmoil hasn't spared Los Blancos on the field either, where they've been relentlessly booed by home and away supporters alike. The atmosphere at the Bernabéu is unlikely to be any warmer this weekend, though back-to-back victories over Real Oviedo and Sevilla have taken some of the heat off.

Athletic Club poses a stiffer test than Real Madrid's two most recent opponents, though not by a wide margin. Ernesto Valverde's side sit 12th in the table and arrive having won just twice in their last eight outings.

The chance to close the season on a positive note — particularly with the farewell matches of Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, and manager Álvaro Arbeloa on the horizon — is well within reach, but only if the La Liga runners-up can rise to the moment, something they've repeatedly failed to do over the past two years.

Real Madrid vs. Athletic Club Score Prediction

Los Blancos End the Season With a Win

Real Madrid may not be operating at full throttle, but they still possess enough individual quality to overcome a misfiring Athletic Club side. Los Blancos' defense has also shown improvement in recent weeks, helping Thibaut Courtois keep three clean sheets across their last four matches.

On top of that, the players will carry extra motivation to give Carvajal, Arbeloa, and Alaba a fitting farewell in front of a Bernabéu crowd that will settle for nothing short of all three points.

It may not be a classic Real Madrid display, but Arbeloa's squad should do just enough to sign off the season with a victory.

Prediction: Real Madrid 2–1 Athletic Club

Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs. Athletic Club

Real Madrid will continue to be without long-term injury absentees Ferland Mendy, Rodrygo, Éder Militão, and Arda Güler. Of the four, only Güler is expected to be fit in time for the World Cup.

On a brighter note, Federico Valverde returned to training after sitting out three matches due to a head injury sustained during a dressing room altercation with Aurélien Tchouaméni. The midfielder is anticipated to be available for Saturday's game, though he may be limited to a substitute appearance.

Andriy Lunin is also set to return following an illness, while Dani Ceballos remains sidelined after falling out with Arbeloa. Vinicius Junior is also likely to miss out after reports indicated he departed Madrid early to link up with the Brazilian national team.

In Vinicius Jr.'s absence, Brahim Díaz is set to slot in on the left flank, while Franco Mastantuono could earn a rare starting berth on the right. Carvajal is also expected to feature in what will be the final appearance of his storied Real Madrid career.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs. Athletic Club (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Carvajal, Rüdiger, Huijsen, Carreras; Tchouaméni, Camavinga; Mastantuono, Bellingham, Díaz; Mbappé.

Athletic Club Predicted Lineup vs. Real Madrid

Much like Real Madrid, Athletic Club head into Saturday's fixture with a significant injury list. Nico Williams, Oihan Sancet, and Unai Egiluz are all confirmed absentees through injury, while Yuri Berchiche is suspended for the season finale after collecting his fifth yellow card of the campaign in their previous match.

Meanwhile, Valverde — who will take charge of his last game as Athletic Club manager on Saturday — is monitoring the fitness of Dani Vivian. The center-back has been dealing with an ankle problem but returned to training during the week and will undergo a late fitness assessment.

Unai Gómez is also a concern after missing training with an undisclosed issue. Beñat Prados is edging closer to a return from his ACL injury, though whether he is ready to earn his first call-up since August remains uncertain.

As has been the case throughout much of the season, Iñaki Williams and Gorka Guruzeta will spearhead the attack. The striking duo have been slightly off the boil of late, however, combining for just one goal in May.

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

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