Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao Match Prediction: October 17, 2021

This year, Real Madrid have been in stellar form and are one of the favourites to win this year’s Spanish La Liga. However, facing Athletic Bilbao is always a challenge. Will Karim Benzema inspire Real Madrid to another win or will Athletic Bilbao stage an upset? Read on to find out.

Match Predictions and Betting Odds

In the Spanish La Liga, Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao have squared off against each other 36 times, out of which Real Madrid have won 28 times. Athletic Bilbao have only won 5 matches against the Spanish giants, while three games have resulted in draws. Thus, an outcome is usually guaranteed for this thrilling encounter.

It’s not going to be a straightforward victory for Real Madrid, as the stats suggest, because the last time these teams faced each other in the Spanish Supercopa de Espana, it was Athletic Bilbao who came out victorious. This will play on the minds of the Real Madrid players who’ll be determined to perform.

Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao: Team News, Probable XI

Real Madrid are at the top of the table with 17 points out of their eight games played and will be looking to continue further the excellent start they’ve made to this year’s La Liga season. On the other hand, Athletic Club have won only three matches, drawn four, and lost 1, scoring seven goals and conceding four in the process.

Both Athletico Madrid and Real Madrid have lost only one match so far, but the lack of results of Athletic Bilbao has prevented them from climbing the La Liga points table. This encounter promises to be thrilling with Real Madrid’s attacking prowess against Athletic Bilbao’s solid defence.

Athletic Bilbao: Unai Simon, Mikel Balenziaga, Unai Nunez, Inigo Martinez, Oscar De Marcos, Jon Morcillo, Mikel Vesga, Unai Lopez, Alex Berenguer, Inaki Williams, Raul Garcia.

Real Madrid: Thibaut Courtois, Miguel Gutierrez, Nacho, Eder Militao, Alvaro Odriozola, Casemiro, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Marco Asensio, Eden Hazard, Karim Benzema.

Players To Look Out For

Karim Benzema from Real Madrid has been in red hot form in the Spanish La Liga season 2021/22, with the French striker scoring nine goals and securing seven assists in the eight matches he’s played so far. He’s managed to make 17 shots on target out of a total of 26 shots and will be Real Madrid’s leading man.

Unai Simon of Athletic Bilbao will be essential to their chances of salvaging a result from this encounter as the goalkeeper will be critical to stopping the shots from Real Madrid’s pragmatic attacking players.

Prediction

This is a game that Real Madrid will be under pressure to win after their poor form before the international break, and Atheltic Bilbao’s organised defence will make it all the more difficult for them. However, Real Madrid are the favourites to win this encounter.