After a few recent stumbles, Real Madrid have given themselves little margin for error in the La Liga title race. Going into the weekend they trail Barcelona in top spot by four points.
That is not an insurmountable margin, especially with a Clasico to come, but Madrid cannot afford to fall any further behind. This weekend’s clash with Athletic Bilbao might not be straightforward, though.
Quick Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao betting tips
- Real Madrid to win and under 3.5 goals – 6/4 with Betfred
- Draw at half-time – 13/10 with Spreadex
- Vinicius Junior to score any time – 13/8 with BetMGM
Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao odds
Find the latest Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.
Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao predictions
It is now official: Real Madrid will not be crowned European champions for a 16th time this season.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team were eliminated from the Champions League on Wednesday night after suffering a 2-1 home defeat by Arsenal.
Having lost the first leg 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium, Madrid needed a miracle in the return fixture. But they were below par throughout the match, struggling to break down a well-organised Arsenal backline.
After 180 minutes of football in London and Madrid, not even the most one-eyed Blanco could argue that the better team did not go through.
That reality has left the Madrid president Florentino Perez with plenty to contemplate. Managers who fall short in La Liga and the Champions League tend not to last long at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, even when they have a track record as superb as Ancelotti’s.
Even if the Italian ultimately leads Madrid to glory domestically (the Blancos are also in the Copa del Rey final), there is a high chance he will leave in the summer.
Many observers in the Spanish capital feel the partnership between Madrid and Ancelotti, which has spanned six seasons across two different spells, has reached its natural conclusion.
Ancelotti did not entirely deny the rumours which suggest he will depart at the end of the campaign, with the Brazil national team reportedly keen to appoint him in time for World Cup 2026.
“It (his exit)could be this year, next year when my contract runs out,” he said. “But when I am done here, I will be grateful to this club. It could be tomorrow, in one year, or in 10 years, but I will be grateful to this club.”
Even if he is not long for the Bernabeu, Ancelotti will be keen to go out on a high. A La Liga-Copa del Rey double would be a perfectly acceptable outcome, but Madrid are underdogs in both competitions.
Barcelona, who will be their opponents in the cup final next weekend, are four points clear of Madrid in the league. The gap may well have become seven by the time Ancelotti’s side kick off against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
Madrid might need to win each of their seven remaining matches to be in with a shot of the title. This one will not be easy, however.
Real Madrid vs Bilbao betting tips
Real Madrid play host to Athletic Bilbao in an important La Liga clash for both teams.
Real Madrid to win and under 3.5 goals
Athletic Bilbao are still fighting to achieve their own goals in the final few weeks of the season.
Fifth place may ultimately be enough for Champions League qualification, but for now only a top-four finish guarantees a place in that competition next term.
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Athletic are fourth going into the weekend, and although they have a healthy six-point lead over Villarreal, the latter have a game in hand.
The Basque outfit are a tough nut to crack, with their games averaging just 2.39 goals in 2024/25.
This could be a tight affair, but Real Madrid should find a way to edge out Athletic.
Back Real Madrid to win and under 3.5 goals at 6/4 with Betfred
Draw at half-time
Real Madrid are in danger of suffering a hangover from their disappointing Champions League exit in midweek.
The atmosphere at the Bernabeu may well be flatter than usual, especially if Barcelona have beaten Celta Vigo the previous day.
Athletic Bilbao know how to dig in. They have conceded just 25 goals this season. That is the fewest in the division.
Only eight of those goals against have come in the first half of matches. In fact, the score has been level at half-time in a whopping 17 of Athletic’s 31 league encounters.
Madrid might have to wait until the second period to get ahead.
Tip a draw at half-time at 13/10 with Spreadex
Vinicius Junior to score any time
Kylian Mbappe came off injured in the second half against Arsenal.
In what would be a major blow to Real Madrid, the France international could miss the Copa del Rey final with an ankle problem.
Mbappe is suspended for this game anyway having been shown a red card against Alaves last weekend.
Others will have to step up in his absence, most notably Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian scored Madrid’s only goal in the Champions League quarter-final and he will need to take responsibility on Sunday too.
Choose Vinicius Junior to score any time at 13/8 with BetMGM
How to watch Real Madrid vs Bilbao
- Location: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain.
- Date and time: Sunday 20th April, 8pm.
- How to watch: Premier Sports 1, LALIGATV.
Read more about the 2024/25 football season
- Premier League winner predictions
- Premier League top scorer odds
- Premier League relegation odds
- Champions League winner odds
- Championship promotion odds
About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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