The Matchday 32 La Liga clash between Real Madrid and Athletic will take place on April 20 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Real Madrid vs. Athletic: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Real Madrid
The team secured a hard-fought victory in their last away match against Alaves (1-0). This was the fourth win for the capital team in their last five La Liga matches (1 loss). With seven rounds remaining in the 2024/25 La Liga season, Real Madrid is in second place, trailing leaders Barcelona by four points. Additionally, the team boasts the second-best attacking record in the league with 64 goals scored.
- Exactly two or three goals were scored in 7 of Real Madrid's last 9 La Liga matches.
- Both teams scored in 7 of the last 9 league matches for the Madrid side.
- In the last six La Liga matches, the club secured only one victory in the second half (4 draws and 1 loss).
Predicted lineup for Real Madrid (4-4-2)
Thibaut Courtois – Antonio Rudiger, Fran Garcia, Lucas Vazquez, Raul Asensio – Aurelien Tchouameni, Arda Guler, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga – Rodrygo Goes, Kylian Mbappe.
Due to injuries, defenders Ferland Mendy, Eder Militao, and Dani Carvajal are out. Forward Kylian Mbappe will miss the match due to suspension.
Athletic
The Basques hosted Rayo Vallecano in the last round and defeated the Madrid side 3-1. This was the fifth consecutive unbeaten match in the league, with Ernesto Valverde's team securing two wins and three draws during this run. The team continues to hold fourth place in the standings, six points behind Atletico. Villarreal, in fifth, is also six points behind but has a game in hand.
- In the last 22 La Liga meetings, the club has lost just once (11 wins and 10 draws).
- No more than two goals were scored in 5 of Athletic's last 6 league matches.
- The first half ended in a draw in 10 of the last 13 away matches for the Basques in La Liga.
Predicted lineup for Athletic (4-3-3)
Unai Simon – Andoni Gorosabel, Adama Boiro, Daniel Vivian, Aitor Paredes – Unai Gomez, Benat Prados, Mikel Jaureguizar – Alvaro Djalo, Gorka Guruzeta, Alex Berenguer.
Referee
Juan Martinez Munuera (Spain)
Matches – 15 (La Liga, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 74;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.9;
Red cards shown – 6;
Average fouls per match – 27;
Penalties – 27%.
Real Madrid vs. Athletic: Match Prediction
In the first round, the Basques defeated the capital club 2-1. However, prior to that, Madrid had not lost to this opponent in 18 consecutive La Liga matches, securing 13 wins and 5 draws. At the Santiago Bernabeu, the statistics are even more impressive: Real Madrid's unbeaten streak in the league is 19 matches (16 wins and 3 draws), and they have scored at least two goals in all but four of those games.
Unlike the Basques, who can afford to drop points in the upcoming match, Madrid cannot afford to lose any more precious points. Even a draw is likely to end their chances of competing for the league title. I am confident that Carlo Ancelotti's side will prevail in this encounter, as they need to bounce back from their last home defeat in La Liga against Valencia. Moreover, Real is very strong at their home ground, where they have lost only twice in the last 39 La Liga matches (32 wins and 5 draws).
My prediction – Real Madrid to win