LaLiga: Real Madrid vs Athletic Club: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Published at :March 30, 2024 at 8:56 PM

Modified at :March 30, 2024 at 8:56 PM

The league leaders to be tested by the side holding onto the final UCL group stage position

In LaLiga, Real Madrid are currently the best team. After 29 league fixtures, they have managed to secure 72 points on the table. This keeps Los Blancos 8 points above FC Barcelona and at the peak of the league. After this fixture, Carlo Ancelotti’s men will have Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City come at them for the UEFA Champions League quarter-final Leg 1 clash.

Athletic Bilbao are holding onto the final UCL group stage qualification spot in the Spanish top flight. A one-point lead over Diego Simeone’s Atlético de Madrid allows them to be in the fourth position of the 2023-24 LaLiga table. After this tough away test, the Bilbao-based side will contest for the Copa del Rey trophy in the final against RCD Mallorca.

Kick-Off:

Sunday, 31 March 2024 at 7:00 PM UK

Monday, 1 April 2024 at 12:30 AM IST

Location: Santiago Bernabéu

Form

Real Madrid (in all competitions): W-W-D-D-W

Athletic Club (in all competitions): W-W-D-W-L

Players to Watch

Brahim Díaz (Real Madrid)

The player most likely to replace our suspended forward Vinicius Junior is Brahim Díaz. In the 4-2 win over CA Osasuna before the international break, Díaz was on the scoresheet once. The attack-minded player has scored 9 goals and made 4 assists in all competitions this season.

Gorka Guruzeta (Athletic Club)

Ernesto Valverde’s side will want more of striker Gorka Guruzeta after the last game. A brace of goals by Guruzeta had helped Athletic Club overcome Deportivo Alavés by 2-0. In the Spanish division alone, the 27-year-old has 13 goals.

Match Facts

Los Blancos are unbeaten against their upcoming opponents in LaLiga for the last 17 games
The hosts have found the back of the net at least once in each of their last 17 league fixtures
Since the 1983-84 season, this current points tally of 56 after 29 games is Athletic Club’s best ever

Injury & Team News

The biggest blow for the hosts has to be being without the mercurial forward Vinicius Junior. A yellow in the last game against Osasuna meant the fifth of the season and thus a match suspension. Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba are out with lengthy knee injuries. Eder Militao and Eduardo Camavinga are both doubts to feature.

The visiting roster will have to do without the likes of Yuri Berchiche. Doubts remain over the fitness of Aitor Paredes, Ander Herrera and Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta.

Head to Head

Total Matches – 235

Real Madrid wins – 118

Athletic Club wins – 72

Draws – 45

Predicted Lineup

Real Madrid predicted lineup (4-3-1-2):

Lunin (GK); Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Kroos; Bellingham; Brahim, Rodrygo

Athletic Club predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Simon (GK); de Marcos, Vivian, Yeray Álvarez, Lekue; Prados, D. Garcia; I. Williams, Sancet, N. Williams; Guruzeta

Match Prediction for Real Madrid vs Athletic Club

This battle will be hotly contested. The visitors will want to keep their UCL spot in their own hands as they know Atlético de Madrid are on their heels. In the case of the hosts, they have a tough UCL quarter-final fixture up next, so a win and good performance is all they crave. Expecting Real Madrid to remain unbeaten against Athletic Club in LaLiga by extending their run to 18 games.

Prediction: Real Madrid 2-1 Athletic Club

Telecast for Real Madrid vs Athletic Club

India – JioCinema, Sports 18

UK – Viaplay, LaLigaTV

US – ESPN+, ESPN, ESPN Deportes

Nigeria – SuperSport 7, Canal +Sport

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