REAL MADRID vs ATHLETIC BILBAO 
Sunday 22ndDecember 1130hrs
Football – Spain La Liga
Pick Real Madrid AH-1
Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 1.52 (odds taken 02:01 GMT, 22 December )
The Spanish top flight action continues on Sunday and our next preview looks ahead to the clash between Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao as the betting tips continue at the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao Live Stats & Betting Odds
Real Madrid Prediction – Can Real Madrid keep pace with Barcelona?
Following back-to-back draws away from home at Valencia and Barcelona in 1-1 and 0-0 stalemates respectively, Real Madrid will be looking forward to returning to the Bernabeu for this Sunday’s clash against Athletic Bilbao as the hosts seek to extend their unbeaten run in La Liga to 9 matches.
5 wins and 3 draws have given the hosts a great start to this La Liga campaign and have helped Real Madrid to keep pace with rivals, Barcelona, but they’ll need to register all three points in this encounter if they’re to draw level on points with the Spanish top flight leaders.
Real Madrid have suffered just 1 defeat all season so far which came in the shape of a 1-0 defeat away from home at Mallorca, but on home turf, Real Madrid have been very difficult to stop as their home record of 6-2-0 20/6 indicates, and includes winning 6 of their last 7 matches.
In addition, Real Madrid have beaten the -1 asian handicap line in 5 of their 8 home matches to date also, so the hosts look set to not only win this one but also cover the line too.
Athletic Bilbao Prediction – Can Athletic Bilbao return to winning ways?
Although Athletic Bilbao occupy 8th place on the La Liga ladder, the visitors are just 3 points behind the top four and 4th placed Getafe prior to this important clash at the Bernabeu against high-flying Real Madrid.
However, a 3-2 defeat away from home at Real Betis and a 0-0 draw at home with Eibar haven’t done Bilbao many favours in recent times and a trip to face an in-form Real Madrid outfit probably isn’t top of Bilbao’s list of things to do during the holidays.
In addition, having managed to register just 1 away win throughout this season to date, which was a 2-1 victory at mid-table Osasuna, this looks a tough trip for Gaizka Garitano’s men as they seek to improve upon a fairly ordinary looking away record which stands at 1-4-3 6/9.
The bigger picture shows that Athletic Bilbao have recorded just 3 away wins out of their last 15 matches on their travels in La Liga and have lost 5 of their last 8 meetings against today’s opponents, Real Madrid.
Key-Facts – Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao
- Real Madrid have beaten the -1 asian handicap line in 5 of their 8 home matches
- Athletic Bilbao have recorded just 3 away wins out of their last 15 matches
- Real Madrid have won 5 of the last 8 meetings against Athletic Bilbao
Betting Tips Verdict
Real Madrid have been in sparkling form at home this season and they should account for Athletic Bilbao here.
