- Date and Time: Sunday, April 20, 2025, 21:00 GMT+1
- Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain
| Odds via 22Bet | |
| Real Madrid vs Athletic Club | Sunday, April 20, 2025, 21:00 GMT+1 |
| Real Madrid odds | 1.64 |
| Athletic Club odds | 5.3 |
| Draw | 3.92 |
| Over\Under | Total 2.5: 1.72/2.12 |
| Betting Bonus | Up to 122 $/€ |
Real Madrid vs Athletic Club Preview and Team News
Real Madrid Team News
Real Madrid’s Champions League journey came to an abrupt end as Arsenal defeated them in both legs (3-0 in London, 2-1 in Madrid), leaving Ancelotti helpless for the rest of the season.
The team can only salvage the season by defeating Barcelona in the final of the Copa del Rey in Sevilla, a difficult task considering they have lost all their encounters this season against the Catalans. In La Liga, Real Madrid remain second, with a four-point deficit behind Barcelona.
🗣️ @ThibautCourtois: “We’d like to thank the fans for their support.”
📺 Full interview ➡️ RM Play— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 16, 2025
Carlo Ancelotti is expected to continue until the end of the season, though he is aware that his job is on the line: “This may have been my last Champions League match [with Real Madrid] this season, for the next I don’t know yet”, he admitted in the press conference following the 2-1 defeat.
Relevo reported that Real Madrid’s board is likely to stick with Ancelotti until the Club World Cup, and only then reevaluate his future.
🏁 @RealMadridEn 1-2 @Arsenal
⚽ 65′ Saka.
⚽ 67′ @ViniJr
⚽ 90′ + 3′ Martinelli. pic.twitter.com/ORFzGi44g3— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 16, 2025
Several reports in Spanish media have claimed that Ancelotti has already lost the dressing room, which may be a turning point in his continuity. Florentino Pérez is aware of it according to Relevo, which is why the Copa del Rey final will determine Ancelotti’s future.
Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, and Kylian Mbappé will be sidelined due to injuries. Andriy Lunin is still awaiting medical clearance.
Real Madrid predicted line-up vs Athletic Club
Real Madrid predicted line-up vs Athletic Club(4-2-3-1): Courtois; García, Rüdiger, Asencio, Vázquez, Camavinga, Valverde, Vinicius, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Endrick
| Key Player to Watch | Federico Valverde |
| Team Strengths | Quality attackers, high-volume dribblers on both sides, strong in the last quarter of the matches, strong UCL culture |
| Team Weaknesses | Lack of pressing coherence, lack of structure in possession |
| Key injuries and suspensions. | Kylian Mbappé, Ferland Mendy, Éder Militão, Andriy Lunin (doubtful) |
Athletic Club Team News
Athletic Club suffered a dip in form in March due to the injury of Daniel Vivian, whose absence was felt in the defense. As one of the pillars with Paredes, Athletic Club could not build up as they usually do. Since his return, Athletic Club have reestablished their best version.
Athletic Club defeated Rangers 2-0 at San Mamés in the second leg of the Europa League quarter-finals, after a disappointing 0-0 draw at Ibrox.
Athletic Club are through to the semi-finals! 🔥#UEL pic.twitter.com/6MvcsRoKRG
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) April 17, 2025
Oihan Sancet returned to the line-up after being sidelined for a few games and converted a penalty shortly before half-time. Nico Williams secured the victory with a goal in the 80th minute, a much-needed confidence boost. Athletic Club are set to face Manchester United in the semi-finals, scheduled for early May.
Ernesto Valverde’s team is almost certain of Champions League football next season. Villarreal and Real Betis secured victories in their European clashes too, suggesting LaLiga could gain an additional European qualification spot next season. Athletic sit fourth and are likely to end the season in the same position, as they are six points ahead of 5th-placed Villarreal.
Yuri Berchiche will be sidelined due to injury.
Athletic Club predicted line-up vs Real Madrid
Athletic Club predicted line-up vs Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Simón; Boiro, Paredes, Vivian, Gorosabel; Prados, Jauregizar; N. Williams, Sancet, I. Williams; Berenguer.
| Key Player to Watch | Sancet |
| Team Strengths | Academy players promotions leading to a common philosophy, defending in intense moments, counter-attacking |
| Team Weaknesses | Lack of quality striker, lack of quality in the full-backs |
| Key injuries and suspensions. | Yuri Berchiche |
Real Madrid vs Athletic Club Head-to-Head Statistics
Real Madrid and Athletic Club have faced each other 32 times, with Madrid dominating a majority of their encounters. Los Blancos have won 22 matches, with Real Madrid’s latest victory dating back to March 2024. Real Madrid won 2-0 on the occasion, thanks to a brace from Rodrygo.
The two teams drew four matches, while Athletic Club have won six times. Athletic Club won the most recent clash between the two teams, a 2-1 victory at San Mamés in December 2024. Álex Berenguer opened the scoring in the 53rd minute, followed by Jude Bellingham’s equalizer in the 78th minute. However, Guruzeta’s strike two minutes later sealed the victory for the hosts.
Real Madrid vs Athletic Club Player Focus
Real Madrid will be without Mbappé for the next few weeks, which leaves Ancelotti without a starting striker (Endrick cannot be considered starter material).
While one would expect Vinicius Jr to claim the leader spot, he has not impressed in recent weeks. Instead, Rodrygo could be key as the de-facto leader up front. His unique dribbling style, allowing him to dribble past most players, combined with Athletic Club’s weaknesses on the flanks, makes him our player to watch out for the clash.
HASTA EL FINAL. ¡VAMOS REAL! 🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/LynzwbYz4z
— Rodrygo Goes (@RodrygoGoes) April 16, 2025
With Oihan Sancet back, Madrid will once again face one of the league’s most creative midfielders, who scored a key goal against Rangers in the Europa League. Sancet has been a headache for most opponents in the league, due to his intensity and efficiency while carrying the ball.
Real Madrid vs Athletic Club Analysis
Real Madrid have reached a low point in their season, where a victory against Athletic Club is a must. They have previously struggled against Athletic Club, losing the clash at San Mamés in December.
Athletic Club are known for their intensity, with few teams capable of matching their rhythm. On the other hand, Real Madrid are one of the least intense sides out of possession, with Ancelotti struggling to integrate his attacking quartet cohesively.
Bet hereReal Madrid vs Athletic Club Prediction
- Prediction: Draw
- Odds: 3.92 (22Bet)
- Score Prediction: Real Madrid 1-1 Athletic Club
Both teams are exhausted from their European clashes and will enter the match fatigued. The difference being that Athletic Club come in good spirits, while Real Madrid are aware Ancelotti will not last much longer at the helm of the club.
Real Madrid will be without Mbappé, forcing Ancelotti to restructure his team. Real Madrid have often struggled to match Athletic Club’s pressing, as Valverde likes to deploy a high-pressing system. The Vivian-Paredes center-back pairing has been one of the most solid defensive duos of the league, making a victory against Athletic Club unlikely despite the home advantage.
Real Madrid vs Athletic Club Betting Tip
- Pick: Nico Williams to score
- Odds: 5.5 (22Bet)
Nico Williams found his way back to the goal against Rangers, exactly when it mattered most. Accompanied by Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams will have plenty of opportunities to force a one-on-one situation with a technical advantage. Nico is likely to face Vázquez, whose defending has been questionable at best.
With Athletic Club’s intense gameplay known for causing trouble at the heart of the Madrid defense, Williams could open the score for the team.
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