Three successive draws have seen Real Madrid stumble in La Liga’s title race and victory is crucial on Wednesday evening when they visit Athletic Club.
Pressure has been heaped on Xabi Alonso’s shoulders after Madrid’s recent slump, with just one victory from their last five outings in all competitions. League stalemates with Rayo Vallecano, Elche and Girona have raised concerns and allowed Barcelona to leapfrog Los Blancos at the summit of the division.
With Villarreal and Atlético Madrid also hot on their tail, the record European champions desperately need to end their winless domestic run in Bilbao against an Athletic Club side struggling to rediscover last season’s form. The Basque outfit are currently eighth in La Liga and have won just one of five Champions League matches this term.
Despite their inconsistencies, Athletic will be no pushovers. They won this fixture 2–1 last season and the vociferous Estadio San Mamés crowd will ensure standards don’t drop. Madrid, who are playing their sixth successive away game, will have to rise to the challenge.
Here is Sports Illustrated’s guide to the clash.
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Athletic Club vs. Real Madrid Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Athletic Club
Real Madrid
Levante 0–2 Athletic Club – 11/29/25
Girona 1–1 Real Madrid – 11/30/25
Slavia Prague 0–0 Athletic Club – 11/25/25
Olympiacos 3–4 Real Madrid – 11/26/25
Barcelona 4–0 Athletic Club – 11/22/25
Elche 2–2 Real Madrid – 11/23/25
Athletic Club 1–0 Real Oviedo – 11/9/25
Rayo Vallecano 0–0 Real Madrid – 11/9/25
Newcastle 2–0 Athletic Club – 11/5/25
Liverpool 1–0 Real Madrid -11/4/25
Country
TV Channel/Live Stream
United States
ESPN Select, ESPN App, ESPN Deportes, fuboTV
United Kingdom
Premier Sports 2, Premier Sports Player
Canada
TSN+
Mexico
Sky Sports Mexico, Sky+
Oihan Sancet is suspended for Wednesday’s match. / IMAGO/Ricardo Larreina Amador
Ernesto Valverde is missing a number of players through injury for Madrid’s visit, with Robert Navarro, Unai Eguiluz, Beñat Prados and Maroan Sannadi all sidelined at present. Iñaki Williams is not a guaranteed absentee for Athletic but remains a significant doubt having been absent since the win over Qarabağ in late October.
Oihan Sancet is a major absentee as he continues to serve his suspension following a red card against Barcelona, but Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta will return to the XI having served a one-match ban last time out. Aymeric Laporte will also make his comeback from illness.
Athletic’s hopes hinge on Nico Williams, who scored and dazzled in the victory over Levante last weekend.
Aymeric Laporte returns in defense. / FotMob
Athletic Club predicted lineup vs. Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Simón; Gorosabel, Vivian, Laporte, Berchiche; Jauregizar, Ruiz de Galarreta; Berenguer, Gómez, Williams; Guruzeta
Antonio Rüdiger (left) and Éder Militão returned against Girona. / Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images
Madrid welcomed center back duo Antonio Rüdiger and Éder Militão back into the lineup for the trip to Girona, the former absent since September and the latter since the November internationals, and the pair appear likely to start again in Bilbao.
Dean Huijsen, David Alaba and Raúl Asencio are all doubts at the back for Alonso, while Dani Carvajal will be missing for the journey to San Mamés. Ferland Mendy has recently added his name to the injury list and he won’t return until 2026.
Álvaro Carreras and Eduardo Camavinga are expected to return to the XI having only been used as substitutes on Sunday, with Fran García and Arda Güler making way.
Franco Mastantuono is available once more having returned to the squad at the weekend, but he was an unused substitute against Girona.
There could be two changes from the Girona draw. / FotMob
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs. Girona (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Militão, Rüdiger, Carreras; Tchouaméni, Camavinga; Valverde, Bellingham; Vinícius; Mbappé
Could Madrid really draw four La Liga matches on the spin? It’s a distinct possibility.
Athletic are not as resilient as they were last season but their home form is still encouraging, with four wins and a draw from seven league games at San Mamés. It’s never an easy venue for visitors, especially those in a moment of uncertainty.
Madrid certainly have the firepower to claim all three points and the return of key defenders could swing the contest, but it’s difficult to look beyond more dropped points based on their recent record.
Prediction: Athletic Club 1–1 Real Madrid
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