Athletic Bilbao – Real Madrid

Athletic Bilbao hosts Real Madrid in one of the most interesting games of the La Liga 14th round.

Athletic are not doing very well since their experienced manager Ernesto Valverde left the club for Barcelona. The Basques are currently 16th in the La Liga standings, being on just 6 points above Malaga and the relegation zone of the league. Athletic’s record so far is three wins, four defeats and six losses. If they continue like this, the Basques could record one of their worst seasons in the recent years.

In their last five matches Athletic Bilbao didn’t win even once. They lost three times and made two draws, including against Deportivo La Coruna in the last round. Things are going very well for Valverde’s replacement Jose Angel Ziganda, so don’t be surprised if we see a managerial change at the San Mames Barria anytime soon.

Now they will have a very serious test, because Real Madrid are coming to town. The Los Blancos are also not at their best levels this season. The champions are already trailing on 8 points behind the leader Barcelona. Real Madrid have a record of eight wins, three draws and two losses, which is probably worst than they have imagined before the start of the new campaign.

In the last round Real Madrid struggled a lot, but managed to beat Malaga with 3-2 at home. This game once again showed us that Zinedine Zidane’s team is far away from its best levels.

Aymeric Laporte is suspended for Athletic, while Benat Etxebarria, Iker Muniain and Iker Undabarrene are injured. Meanwhile Kepa Arrizabalaga and Oscar De Marcos are doubtful for the match.

Real Madrid can’t use the injured Marco Asensio, while Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos could miss the game because of injuries. These are Zinedine Zidane’s only problems before the clash.