8th placed Athletic Bilbao face a tough assignment on Sunday lunchtime despite holding home advantage at their San Mamés Barria as they’ll be playing host to the current La Liga leaders, Real Madrid.
Athletic Bilbao have been in pretty good nick though in recent times as the hosts have suffered just one defeat from their previous eight matches as they’ve held their own and are still in the frame for a possible top six finish and a qualifying spot in the Europa League.
Victories over Villarreal, Real Valladolid, Real Betis, Mallorca and Valencia have maintained Athletic Bilbao’s pursuit of possible European involvement next sseason, but when they’ve come up against one of the elite sides in La Liga, they ended up on the losing side - as was the case in their recent 1-0 defeat away at Barcelona.
Nevertheless, with a four-match unbeaten run at home under their belts heading into this important clash, Athletic Bilbao will fancy their chances of getting something out of this encounter.
Real Madrid now hold a precious four-point lead at the top of La Liga over their rivals, 2nd placed Barcelona, following Thursday night’s 1-0 home win against Getafe which extended Real Madrid’s winning streak to six wins on the trot.
The return of manager, Zinedine Zidane, for a second stint at Real Madrid has certainly done the trick for the visitors as he’s once again made his side a force to be reckoned with, while results away from home have for the most part, been pretty impressive.
Real Madrid have won five of their last seven matches on their travels which includes wins picked up on the road at Getafe, Real Valladolid, Osasuna, Real Sociedad and Espanyol, so momentum is perhaps on the visitors heading into this clash.
With just two defeats out of their last 11 matches away from home, Real Madrid will also fancy their chances of further adding to their points tally here as they seek to extend their lead at the top of La Liga and move a step closer to securing the domestic top flight league title.
Real Madrid will be fired up for this Sunday encounter and although they’re away from home, they won’t have to contend with a noisy home crowd and they should collect the three points here.
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