Athletic Club vs Real Madrid Preview and Prediction: Spanish La Liga 2020-21

La Liga race is in one of its best phases at the moment as we are witnessing a tight competition between the Spanish giants, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and the league leaders Atletico Madrid.

As things stand, Atletico Madrid are at the summit with 80 points, their city rivals Real Madrid are second with 78 points, while the Catalans, Barcelona are third with 76 points.

The Los Blancos play Athletic Club who occupy the ninth spot, four points adrift of Celta Vigo. Athletic Club and Marcelino will be proud of their performance this season, as they are on course to finish ninth, two places better than where they finished last season. 

Athletic Club vs Real Madrid: Head to Head

The last five meetings has seen a Real Madrid dominance that is evident, but last time out it was the hosts, Athletic Club who knocked Real Madrid out of the Super Cup in the semi-final stage. Will they cause problems for one Madrid and help the other? 

Recent Form

Real Madrid have lost only once in their last five fixtures, the only subdued performance being against Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea as Zidane vs Tuchel went in favor of the Chelsea boss again.

Real Madrid have two wins as well, while their opponents have an identical record, the only difference being Real are coming into the game with a 4-1 conquest against Granada but Athletic Club were subjugated by SD Huesca.

Athletic Club vs Real Madrid: Team News

Raul Garcia, Inaki Williams, Alex Berenguer are set to return to the starting eleven for the hosts after losing their last game. 

For Zidane and co, they were already without the services of Sergio Ramos, Dani Carvajal, Lucas Vasquez, and Ferland Mendy, but the biggest blow is Toni Kroos being ruled out very late. He was in close contact with a person who recently contracted COVID-19, and thus, he is out of contention as well.

Athletic Club vs Real Madrid: Live Stream

The match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid can be viewed on Facebook.

Fun Facts about the fixture 

• Real Madrid are undefeated against the Athletic Club in the league since March 2015.
• Since 2010, Real Madrid have tasted defeat only twice against Athletic Club.
• Real Madrid were on the verge of being undefeated in 20 games since 30 January but lost to Chelsea in their 20th encounter.
• Zinedine Zidane's side have the best away record in the Spanish top-flight. 

Prediction: Sportco predicts Real Madrid to win against Atheltic Club and maintain the pressure on Diego Simeone's men at the top.