Match Preview

Real Madrid prepares for midweek play as the club takes on Athletic at the Di Stefano on Tuesday.

Real is coming off a huge win over rivals Atletico Madrid. Real is now third in the league table by a point. Los Blancos now trail Real Sociedad and Atletico by three points.

Athletic has had a rough season so far as the club sits 13th in the league standings. Los Leones are winless in their last three league matches and winless in their last five road matches.

Real has done well against Athletic the last several seasons having been unbeaten in the last 10 La Liga matches played while keeping three clean sheets in that span. Real also hasn’t lost at home in the league to Athletic since 2005.

Injuries/Suspensions

Real Madrid is now without the services of Casemiro for this match. Eden Hazard, Martin Ødegaard, Luka Jovic and Mariano all remain out as well.

Athletic seemingly have a healthy squad.

Casemiro is the lone suspension in this match.

Potential XIs

Real Madrid

Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Modric, Valverde, Kroos; Rodrygo, Vinicius, Benzema

There’s a chance Zidane does elect to rest some of his starters since Real is right back in action on Sunday, so this starting squad very well could look a bit different.

With Casemiro serving suspension, Fede Valverde will surely slot in his place earning himself a start.

Rodrygo will likely get the start with Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio options as well.

Athletic Bilbao

Simón; Capa, Yeray, Martinez, Yuri; Vesga, Dani Garcia; Williams, Muniain, Berenguer; Villalibre

Prediction

Real Madrid—Athletic Bilbao 3-1

This is a winnable match at home for Real Madrid given the current forms of both sides and the historical matchup in Madrid.

While Real has held a clean sheet in the last three meetings, Athletic likely won’t go away quietly. This is especially true if Zidane decides to give some of his starters rest and without Casemiro.

Real would like to keep the train moving with another win in the column. Coming off a huge win over a rival and one of the top teams in La Liga this season has the momentum on Real’s side as the club hosts another home match.