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Athletic Bilbao vs. Real Madrid
There will be an early clash in La Liga on Wednesday evening. Due to several changes in the match schedule, Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid have to play their matchday 21 clash early. However, it will only be the 19th match of the season for both teams. From a sporting point of view, things are taking their expected course in the Spanish league. The Royals lead the league before Christmas and are unbeaten in 10 matches.
The Basques, on the other hand, are 9th in the table and actually managed to win their first game at the weekend after 8 previous winless encounters. Bilbao won 3-2 against Real Betis Sevilla, and even though their next opponents are Real Madrid, the Basques do not want to leave the pitch as losers. Find out whether Athletic can do anything against the royals in our Bilbao – Real Madrid betting tip.
Bilbao – Real Madrid Info
– Date & Time: 22.12.2021, 21:30 Uhr
– Venue: Bilbao, San Mames
– Competition: La Liga, Matchday 21 (19th game of the season)
– TV coverage: DAZN
Bilbao Form & Balance Check
Athletic Club Bilbao can breathe a sigh of relief. After coach Marcelino’s team had a whole 8 winless games behind them, Bilbao won 3-2 against Betis Sevilla on Sunday night. Since 23 October, the fans of the Basques had to wait for this success. However, the success over Betis was only the 5th win of the season. Bilbao are now in a respectable 9th place in the table, but there is room for improvement. Real, however, is already the next big name in the league for the Basques. It’s quite possible that Bilbao won’t be able to win another game before Christmas.
Defence comes first
Bilbao haven’t played champagne football for years. The Basques have always focused on defence and want to switch quickly after winning the ball. This style of play is also reflected in Bilbao’s statistics this season. In 18 games so far this season, the Basques have only scored 16 goals. However, Bilbao have only conceded 14 goals. That is even one goal less than their upcoming opponents. But that Bilbao can’t buy anything with this statistic was shown in the first leg on 01 December. Real won with 1:0.
Bilbao facts & analysis
– Bilbao are currently in 9th place in the table.
– Only 1 win from the last 8 matches
– 14 out of 24 points taken by Bilbao at home
Real Madrid form & balance check
Real Madrid are the measure of all things in Spanish football. The royals lead the table with 43 points from 18 games this season and have not lost for a whole 10 games. In general, coach Carlo Ancelotti’s team has only suffered one defeat this season. Real have won 13 of their 18 matches so far. After 7 wins in a row, the white ballet only played 0-0 against promoted Cadiz on Sunday evening. A slip-up that Real would like to correct in Bilbao. Exactly three weeks ago, Madrid won 1-0 against Bilbao, so they know how to crack the Basques.
Offensive and defensive are outstanding
To end up with a 0-0 scoreboard against Cadiz, it happens. However, this was another game that Real Madrid finished without conceding a goal. It was already the 4th game in a row in which keeper Courtois did not have to make a save. In total, it was the 7th game without conceding a goal in the current season. No other team in Spain can boast such a record. Real would give themselves a well-deserved Christmas present with 3 points in Bilbao.
Real Madrid facts & analysis
– Real lead the table with 43 points
– The Royals have only lost one of their 18 games this season
– Real have won 4 of their last 5 games
Predicted line-up – last update on 20 December 2021
Bilbao try to get their game through in a 4-4-2 system. The Basques stand for a strong defence and an orderly offensive game. Against the ball, Bilbao have two four-man defences. After winning the ball, the Basques want to switch quickly and usually send the quick Williams on his way with passes on the counterattack.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, follow the usual 4-3-3 system under coach Carlo Ancelotti. Real come through the wings and have an ice-cold goal scorer in the middle in Benzema, who waits for passes.
Bilbao – Real Madrid direct comparison & Statistics
Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid have already met 182 times. In this duel, Real earned the more positive record. The royals won 94 games, whereas the Basques could only win 52 encounters. A further 36 meetings ended in a draw. The last time they met, the whistle blew 1-0 in Real’s favour.
– Real won 2 matches in a row with 1-0 against Bilbao
– Bilbao have won only one of their last 5 encounters.
– Real have won four times in their last 5 encounters
– Bilbao last won at home against Real in 2015
