Athletic Bilbao will host Real Madrid in Bilbao on matchday one of the 2023/2024 Spanish La Liga season.
Date: 12/08/2023
Time: 20:30
Venue: San Mames
These predictions below for Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid La Liga clash were made by Bookmaker Ratings. For more predictions on Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A, La Liga and other European football leagues, visit our Football Predictions & Betting Tips page.
For Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid prediction, we say Real Madrid to win 3-1 and this is why. Athletic Bilbao had a dreadful pre-season and their first team somewhat struggled against Manchester United’s second team as the game ended 1-1. Real would stand as stronger opponents, thanks to the array of top individual talents at the club, hence an easy win for Los Blancos.
We predict Real Madrid to score at least two goals against Athletic Bilbao and this is why. The hosts are in dire form, having gone winless in their last five pre-season matches. Although pre-season form can’t be taken seriously, backing Real to score two or more goals looks fair, given Athletic Club’s inability to keep clean sheets.
Athletic Bilbao lost two of their last five pre-season friendlies including last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Manchester United’s second team. The Athletic Club are massively aware their form in pre-season is well off the pace needed to get their new 2023/2024 La Liga season to a winning start, most especially facing last season’s runners-up, Real Madrid. However, they will look to ensure their pre-season poor form remains in pre-season.
Real Madrid also didn’t have the best pre-season as well as they lost two and won two in their last four friendlies. They succumbed to 3-0 and 3-1 defeats to Barcelona and Juventus respectively, having won two matches against AC Milan and Manchester United last month. Madrid are the favourites to get all three points in the game against Athletic Bilbao and they will only look at proving the bookmakers right.
Predicted starting lineups
Athletic Bilbao: Simon, Lekue, Paredes, Vivian, Marcos, Vesga, Galarreta, N. Williams, Sancet, Muniain, I. Williams
Real Madrid: Courtois, Garcia, Nacho, Rudiger, Carvajal, Camavinga, Kroos, Modric, Bellingham, Junior, Rodrygo