Athletic Bilbao v Real Madrid Betting Tips [23 December 2021]

Struggling Athletic Bilbao returned to winning ways in their last outing and will be hoping to build on when they host Real Madrid in the next league game. Athletic Bilbao will go to the game in ninth place on 24 points, while Real lead on 43 points. The hosts registered a first win in nine matches in their last game, beating Real Betis 3-2. It was also the first time scoring in four matches and facing the best side in the league so far will call for a lot of improvement in both defence and attack. They have just one clean sheet in the last five matches, and twice in that run, they’ve conceded two goals. In 13 straight league meetings with Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao have gone winless. In six league meetings with Real Madrid, Bilbao have managed just one goal.

Real Madrid were forced to a 0-0 draw with lower placed Cadiz, and they will need to improve on that performance as they take on a much tougher Athletic Bilbao. This is a game they’ve dominated but with such an opponent a win is never assured. Real Madrid have a long list of injuries but the depth in the squad should carry them through this game. The result against Cadiz was Real Madrid’s fifth straight clean sheet and they go to this game unbeaten in 14 matches. They’ve failed to score in just two of those 14 matches, while in three of their last four games, they have scored twice. Their only loss in La Liga came away from home, a shock one against Espanyol, but Real Madrid go to this one with six straight away wins in all competitions.

Real Madrid have a great run going to this game, even though they were held by a struggling side in their last game. They have dominated recent matches against Athletic Bilbao and they have a great balance in attack and defence. We will back them to post a win with a clean sheet here.