Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid – 22/01/2023
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Real Madrid limp into Sunday night’s match at San Mames against eighth-place Athletic Bilbao. Los Blancos are fresh off of losing the Supercopa de Espana final to Barcelona 3-1, as the reigning La Liga champions failed to win their two games in the mini-tournament in normal time.
Now, Carlo Ancelotti’s side make the trip to the Basque region to play Athletic Bilbao in a must-win matchday 18 fixture.
? Ese remate de cabeza…
? Cuenta atrás para el #AthleticRealMadrid @LaLiga I #AthleticClub ? pic.twitter.com/MMXk67x6ak
— Athletic Club (@AthleticClub) January 19, 2023
Athletic Bilbao go into the weekend desperately in need of a win as well. The Lions are winless in three straight La Liga fixtures and hopes of qualifying for the Champions League are dwindling once more.
Eight points were taken from Athletic Bilbao’s last six games in La Liga. Goals were at a premium as Ernesto Valverde’s team scored a mere six while conceding five to opponents.
Athletic Club scored just one goal in their last 270 minutes of La Liga football. The Lions are also coming off a 3-1 defeat to Real Sociedad in the Basque Derby.
Real Madrid won four of their last six games versus Athletic Bilbao. The Basque club won twice against Madrid during that timeframe.
Last season, Athletic Bilbao knocked Real Madrid out of the Copa del Rey at San Mames with a 1-0 win. However, wins against Real Madrid are few and far between for the Lions.
Valverde will be without defender Yeray Alvarez due to a suspension. Defender Inigo Martinez has physical discomfort which could keep him out of the match.
Ancelotti is without midfielder Lucas Vazquez, who is nursing a sprained ankle. Vazquez is expected to remain out of action until March.
Defender David Alaba is a doubt with a leg injury, while midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni is also a doubt following a leg problem.
Madrid striker Karim Benzema goes into the game with three goals in his last two games in La Liga. Benzema has 11 goals in 16 games to lead the club.
However, the Frenchman’s body has broken down this season, causing him to miss seven of 16 La Liga games. Benzema is likely to start the match and lead the line barring any unexpected injury problems.
Athletic Bilbao are on a three-game winless streak, and it should extend to four this weekend versus Madrid. Los Blancos should pick up a 2-1 win away at San Mames. Five of Madrid’s last six matches in La Liga finished with both teams scoring.
