Football
Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao Preview: Tips, Odds, and Prediction
Date: 20 April 2025 Venue: Santiago Bernabeu Kick-off (UK Time): 18:00 A thrilling La Liga encounter is on the horizon as Real Madrid welcome Athletic Bilbao to the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, April 20, 2025. The hosts are locked in a tight title race, sitting second, three points behind leaders Barcelona, while Athletic Bilbao hold fourth place, pushing for a Champions League spot. There will be lots to play for when these two teams meet on Sunday evening, and even more to look forward to for LaLiga betting fans, as there will be plenty of value to find in the fixture!
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Dani Vivian and Kylian Mbappe//Getty Images
Real Madrid have been formidable at home, but their defensive vulnerabilities have raised concerns this season. Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao, under Ernesto Valverde, has been having a season to remember, blending attacking flair with defensive solidity.
In their reverse fixture back in November, Bilbao stunned Madrid with a 2-1 victory at San Mames, with goals from Gorka Guruzeta and Alex Berenguer.
Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability
Here’s a breakdown of the pre-match betting odds for Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao:
Home: 4/6 (1.67) – 50.0%
Draw: 11/4 (3.75) – 25.7%
Away: 15/4 (4.75) – 24.3%
Odds courtesy of Betway, subject to change.
Head-to-Head Record
Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao
Check out the head-to-head record for Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao below:
24/11/24: Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Real Madrid
31/03/24: Real Madrid 2-0 Athletic Bilbao
12/08/23: Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Real Madrid
04/06/23: Real Madrid 1-1 Athletic Bilbao
29/01/23: Real Madrid 0-0 Athletic Bilbao
Real Madrid Current Form – WWWLW
Real Madrid have been in pretty good form over their previous five games. They have lost just once to Valencia and won the other four. Los Blancos have managed to keep up the chase of first-placed Barcelona and will want to push the Catalan side all the way with seven games to go in the Spanish league.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid//Getty Images
Key Players to Watch
- Antonio Rudiger: The former Chelsea defender is vital to Carlo Ancelotti’s team, making 28 appearances and playing 2,201 minutes. He is incredibly difficult to beat in 1v1 situations, and his aggressive nature and high-quality defending make him a key component in Madrid’s backline.
- Vinicius Junior: The Brazilian winger remains a constant threat, contributing 11 goals and 5 assists in 25 league matches. His quick feet and dribbling could exploit Bilbao’s full-backs.
- Federico Valverde: The Uruguayan midfielder’s work rate and long-range shooting add balance to Madrid’s midfield, with 5 goals and 4 assists this campaign.
Real Madrid Team News
Real Madrid are still without Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, both sidelined with long-term ACL injuries. David Alaba is back but not fully match-fit, while Kylian Mbappe is not available after being sent off against Alaves.
Athletic Bilbao Current Form – DWDDW
Bilbao has been in solid form, remaining unbeaten in their last five games across all competitions. However, back-to-back goalless draws in La Liga against Villarreal and Osasuna highlight a recent dip in their attacking output.
Nico Williams of Athletic Club//Getty Images
Key Players to Watch
- Gorka Guruzeta: The striker has been Bilbao’s main goal threat, with six goals and two assists in 30 La Liga games. His movement could trouble Madrid’s leaky defence.
- Oihan Sancet: The attacking midfielder’s creativity has shone this season, with 15 goals and one assist in 23 league games this season. He has been in sensational form, and his ability to link play will be vital for Bilbao’s counter-attacks.
- Inaki Williams: The winger’s pace and directness have yielded five goals and eight assists in 30 matches, making him a constant danger on the flanks.
Athletic Bilbao Team News
Yuri Berchiche is a doubt with a knock. Ernesto Valverde’s side is fourth in the table and is pushing for a Champions League spot as we head into the business end of the season.
Predicted Line-Ups
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois, Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Garcia, Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham, Rodrygo, Guler, Vinicius
Athletic Bilbao (4-2-3-1): Simon, Gorosabel, Vivian, Parades, Yuri, Jauregizar, Prados, I. Williams, Sancet, Berenguer, Guruzeta
Suggested Bets
Use our suggested football betting tips for all your football betting strategies!
Both Teams to Score: Bilbao have scored in 8 of their last 10 La Liga games, and Madrid’s defence has been leaky. (71/100 with Betway)
Real Madrid and Both Teams to Score: Madrid’s home form and firepower suggest a victory with at least two goals scored. (43/20 with Betway)
Value Bets
Our value bets will give you the best La Liga betting insights with the most reliable bookmakers for betting.
Over 2.5 Goals: With Madrid’s attack and Bilbao’s counter-attacking threat, this game could see goals. (7/10 with Betway)
Anytime Goal Scorer Vinicius Junior: Vini’s scoring form makes him a safe bet to find the net. (26/5 with Stake)
Prediction: Real Madrid to Win
Athletic Bilbao are a tough outfit and showed their quality in the reverse fixture, but Real Madrid’s home advantage and attacking prowess should prove too much. Expect Los Blancos to secure a narrow victory in a competitive clash as they keep the pressure on Barcelona.
With a decade of sports writing expertise, Nigel Naicker has crafted compelling content across football leagues like the Premier League and UEFA Champions League, as well as cricket and UFC. A passionate storyteller since 2014, Nigel joins the SportsBoom team, ready to deliver insightful narratives across various sports disciplines.
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