Real Madrid are set to return to action as the latest international break comes to an end with a match scheduled against a difficult Athletic Club side this Sunday at the Santiago Bernabeu.
As is always the case when these two teams meet, this tie is again going to be an exhilarating affair. Still, Real Madrid will be the better poised of the two teams ahead of this game, as they sit atop the league table with a 5-point gap over Barcelona, while Athletic Club are fourth, sixteen points behind their upcoming opponents.
Thus, both these teams will be looking for a win in this match, as the Merengues will be looking not to lose their superiority over Barcelona, and Athletic Club have Atletico Madrid hot on their heels who are only one point behind in the fifth position.
The last time the two sides met, Real Madrid came out the winner with a 2-0 scoreline. However, the Basque Lions were able to hold Carlo Ancelotti’s side to a draw last season, and games between these two sides are never easy for any of them to win.
This will be particularly the case this time around, as Real Madrid will be looking forward to their clash against Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League, while Athletic Club have the Copa del Rey final to contest against Mallorca in the coming days.
Ernesto Valverde will be counting on the likes of Gorka Guruzeta, who recently scored a brace against Alaves, and Inaki Williams to break down the Los Blancos defense. Nico Williams will be an important player unavailable for this game, along with Paredes and Herrera.
Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo Goes, and Brahim Diaz will be the main offensive weapons for Ancelotti, especially as Vinicius Junior is suspended for this game. Eduardo Camavinga will be another player unavailable due to an injury that he picked up while on international duty with France.
But even with these star players unavailable for this game, these two teams have enough quality in their squad to guarantee a highly entertaining game for the neutrals.
