Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao Predictions & Betting Tips

Dean Smith 19 Apr 2025

Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao predictions and betting tips for Sunday’s La Liga showdown.

There were contrasting midweek fortunes for these sides, with Real Madrid’s elimination from the Champions League confirmed by a 2-1 home loss against Arsenal, while Athletic Bilbao advanced to the Europa League semi-finals after seeing off Rangers 2-0 at San Mamés.

This Bernabeu contest kicks off at 20:00 on Sunday, April 20th and is being broadcast live on Premier Sports 1 and LaLiga TV in the UK.

Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao Predictions

Full Time Result: Draw
Correct Score: 2-2
Both Teams To Score: Yes
Over 2.5 Goals: Yes
First Goalscorer: Jørgen Strand Larsen

Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao Tips

Tip 1

One win in five games across all competitions means there is unrest in Madrid and boss Carlo Ancelotti may do well to survive it. They’ve gone three without a win at the Bernabeu, while two defeats in the last six in La Liga, amid a run of just five wins in 10, has handed a major initiative to Barcelona in the title race.

Bilbao are in a commanding position to secure a Champions League berth for next season, all the more so with Spain now guaranteed five spots for 2025/26, but they won’t want to take anything for granted. They have lost only three times in 15 La Liga away days and could take a point back from the capital to further increase the heat on Ancelotti and company.

Tip 2

Rodrygo broke the deadlock after just eight minutes in this fixture last season, calmly curling the ball into the far corner after a composed run to the edge of the box from the left flank.

He added another in the second half and the winger now has three goals and two assists in his 12 appearances against Athletic Bilbao.

With key man Kylian Mbappe looking on from the sidelines, the 24-year-old should have a key role to play and can continue his good record against the side from the Basque Country.

Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao team news and predicted lineups

Mbappe sits this out after being sent off against Alaves last weekend but Eduardo Camavinga is back in contention after a continental ban in midweek. Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal remain sidelined with knee problems for under-fire boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Brahim Diaz may get the nod to start for Los Blancos with Mbappe unavailable, while Antonio Rudiger may continue in central defence despite carrying a knock.

Benat Prados and Gorka Guruzeta could return to the Bilbao starting XI following the midweek win over Rangers but Inaki Williams (abductor) and Yuri Berchiche (muscular) were both overlooked against the Glasgow outfit and may well miss out again here.

Aitor Paredes and Andoni Gorosabel will both be pushing for starts for the visiting side, although Prados and Guruzeta could be ahead of them in the queue.

Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, F Garcia; Camavinga, Bellingham, Tchouameni; Brahim, Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr.

Athletic Bilbao (4-2-3-1): Simon; Gorosabel, Vivian, Paredes, Lekue; Jauregizar, Prados; Berenguer, Sancet, N Williams; Guruzeta.

Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao key players to watch

Rodrygo netted a goal in each half as Real Madrid secured a 2-0 home win against Athletic Bilbao in the corresponding fixture last season and, with Mbappe sidelined now, he could be key for the hosts.

Midfielder Oihan Sancet, 24, is having a fine season for Athletic Club, scoring in last week’s win over Rayo Vallecano to take his La Liga tally to 15, a personal best for the talented playmaker.

Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao Head-to-Head Record

Last Five Results:

4/12/24: Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Real Madrid – La Liga
31/3/24: Real Madrid 2-0 Athletic Bilbao – La Liga
12/8/23: Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Real Madrid – La Liga
4/6/23: Real Madrid 1-1 Athletic Bilbao – La Liga
22/1/23: Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Real Madrid

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