Fresh off a bruising Champions League exit at the hands of Arsenal, Real Madrid return to domestic duty with something to prove—and fire in their veins. Sunday night’s clash at the Bernabéu against high-flying Athletic Bilbao isn’t just another league fixture, it’s a battle between two European contenders with everything still to fight for.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men were humbled 2-1 in the second leg at the Emirates, crashing out of the Champions League 5-1 on aggregate, a defeat that’s left their pride wounded. But Los Blancos remain top of La Liga with 66 points—and now, with nothing else on their plate, they’ll be throwing everything at securing the title.
Athletic, just nine points adrift and full of momentum, arrive fresh from a commanding 2-0 win over Rangers that sealed their Europa League semi-final ticket. Ernesto Valverde’s side will be brimming with belief, and with Madrid vulnerable, they might just smell blood under the Bernabéu lights.
Real Madrid’s European crown slipped from their grasp in humiliating fashion this week, as they crashed out of the Champions League with a 2-1 home defeat to Arsenal—bringing the aggregate score to a stunning 5-1. The lack of fight and composure shown at the Bernabéu left fans stunned and questions swirling around Carlo Ancelotti, whose summer departure now feels inevitable.
With only the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona offering a shot at redemption, Los Blancos must regroup fast. They kick off this weekend’s La Liga action four points adrift of their Clasico rivals at the summit—and anything short of a win against red-hot Athletic Bilbao could spell disaster.
Madrid will be without their talismanic forward Kylian Mbappe, who’s suspended after a reckless red card against Alaves. That means the pressure will fall on Rodrygo to lead the line, with Brahim Diaz likely to add spark on the right wing. Camavinga returns from suspension to offer steel in midfield, while Ferland Mendy and Lunin are racing the clock to be fit.
Fran Garcia is tipped to fill in at left-back, and with Dani Carvajal still out, Valverde may be tasked with keeping Nico Williams quiet down the right. Meanwhile, an aching Antonio Rudiger is expected to grit through the pain once again at the heart of the defence. The stage is set for a fierce rebound—or another unraveling.
ATLÉTICO MADRID predicted lineup vs REAL VALLADOLID: Courtois (GK); Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, F Garcia; Camavinga, Bellingham, Tchouameni; Brahim, Rodrygo, Vinicius.
Athletic Club are riding high on European momentum after dispatching Rangers 2-0 in midweek, with Nico Williams dazzling once again and Oihan Sancet adding the finishing touch to send the Basques one step closer to a dream Europa League final at San Mamés.
Ernesto Valverde’s men had shown signs of stalling in recent weeks, but back-to-back confident victories—first a 3-1 triumph over Rayo Vallecano, then Thursday’s controlled display—have reignited belief both domestically and in Europe. Athletic remain firmly in the top four and arrive in Madrid with nothing to fear.
There are a couple of fitness concerns for the visitors—Inaki Williams, nursing an adductor issue, sat out the Rangers clash and is unlikely to start, though he may be unleashed from the bench if needed. Yuri Berchiche remains a serious doubt due to ongoing muscular problems.
Benat Prados and Gorka Guruzeta are tipped to come back into the starting XI, while Valverde is expected to recall key figures Unai Simon, Aitor Paredes, and Andoni Gorosabel to bolster his back line for this heavyweight clash at the Bernabéu.
REAL VALLADOLID predicted lineup vs ATLÉTICO MADRID: Simon (GK); Gorosabel, Vivian, Paredes, Lekue; Jauregizar, Prados; Berenguer, Sancet, N Williams; Guruzeta.
Athletic have proven to be fierce travellers this season, losing just three of their 15 away league outings—a stat that should ring alarm bells for a Real Madrid side still reeling from midweek humiliation and whose recent form has been anything but convincing. With confidence dented and pressure mounting, this clash under the Bernabéu lights has all the makings of a thriller.
Given the momentum Athletic are carrying and the questions now swirling around Madrid, a straightforward home win feels far from guaranteed. We’re backing a dramatic 2-2 draw—one that could leave Los Blancos staring down the barrel in the La Liga title race.
**Prediction: **Draw.
