The new season from La Liga opens on Friday evening when Europa League winners and Champions League entrants Sevilla host Valencia in a game broadcast live across Europe on TV and live streaming apps. You’ll find an in-depth preview of that game elsewhere on our site, and the stats tell us to prepare for an exciting 90 minutes. But on this page, we preview another potentially explosive game in Athletic Bilbao v Real Madrid. Read the thoughts of our football writers, make your predictions, and enjoy the show.
Athletic Bilbao v Real Madrid is set for a Saturday 20:30 GMT kick-off, making it the highlight of La Liga’s three-game programme from the top-flight of Spanish football. A capacity crowd will pack the stadium with both sets of players eager to put on a show for the fans and millions following worldwide. Which team will get off to the perfect start and bag three points to celebrate the weekend in style? A case could be made for Bilbao using home advantage or Madrid getting their title challenge off to a flyer.
Our team of experts uses the form, injury news, and relevant stats from the head-to-head records to help you make an informed decision on the outcome. Blancos won 2-0 when last in Bilbao, landing three La Liga points thanks to goals from Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos. The bare result suggested a one-sided contest, but the second goal came with 90 minutes on the clock to finish a determined Bilbao side that refused to lie down. They’ll be just as dedicated and determined on Saturday, and Bilbao will play their part in a thriller.
Bilbao must build
Athletic Bilbao has become a mainstay in La Liga over the last few years and starts every season hoping to finish in the European places. They ended the last term in eighth, a decent return for a club with Bilbao’s budget. The squad and coaching staff have worked wonders under difficult circumstances in recent seasons and fully deserve any encouragement that comes their way. Another top-half finish is the aim, with Bilbao supporters hoping to see their side put pressure on the top six. It’s possible, but is it likely?
Bilbao made some interesting moves during the summer transfer window, and the squad that begins this season looks stronger than the one that ended the previous campaign. If they can enjoy a successful start to the season, picking up points in their opening three games before building on the momentum gained, Athletic could hassle the prizes. They could send out a statement of intent with a home win over Real at the earliest opportunity. But that’s easier said than done.
Athletic Bilbao has recorded 14 wins over Real Madrid in 67 attempts, which shows the task ahead of them on Saturday evening. Their last victory was in February 2022 at this venue when scoring a hard-fought and fully deserved 1-0, earning the points with a winning goal from Alex Berenguer in the Copa del Rey. The winning goal was scored with 89 minutes on the clock, delivering a body blow to Blancos. Home fans would love to see something similar on Saturday evening.
Bet herePressure mounting on Madrid
Real Madrid is under pressure even before a ball has been kicked in La Liga for the new season. Blancos failed to defend their La Liga or Champions League crowns last season, losing their domestic prize to Barcelona, with Manchester City ending as kings of the continent. The fightback begins now, and although there’s a long road ahead with plenty of work still to complete, Madrid has a good chance of regaining their silverware. Winning back La Liga is the board’s main objective.
It was an important summer in Madrid with plenty of comings and goings at all levels. The board funded a bid to refresh things and bring new energy to the squad. On paper, they have achieved their summer objective, agreeing on deals to sign their main targets and keeping their top performers on the books. Now it’s on the players to deliver the good, starting with a win on the road to raise the curtain on the season. Fans want to see an away win at all costs but would love a strong performance, and few goals scored. Will the players live up to expeditions? The recent stats associated with this game is encouraging.
Real Madrid has a fantastic record against Athletic Bilbao but is always made to work for the points. The two meetings involving these sides last season ended in a 2-0 win for Madrid at this venue and a 1-1 in the reverse. Benzema scored in both games, and Madrid will create plenty of chances of their attack in this return. The visitors have the skill, experience, and belief to bag three points and get the campaign up and running.
Athletic Bilbao v Real Madrid prediction
Bilbao holds the home advantage, is confident following a useful summer, and the fans will offer support from the stands. Bilbao could catch their big-name opponents early and showcase the fitness gained from a hectic pre-season. But it’ll take a monumental effort to deny Real Madrid an away win.
The visitors are all business as they arrive for this game. The squad is focussed on making up for last season and getting Blancos back to the top of Spanish and European football. If they are near their best, Madrid will be good enough to score an away win.
La Liga odds
The pre-match betting odds available at 22bet has Athletic Bilbao trading at 3.36 with Real Madrid 2.136 and the draw 3.48.
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