This should have been a big game early in season for both Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao. Instead, it's setting up to be an easy win for Los Blancos thanks to Athletic Club's horrific start to the season. After a top four finish last season earned Athletic a spot in the Champions League, nothing has done right for them so far this season in any competition.
Real Madrid vs. Athletic Bilbao live stream: How to watch La Liga online, TV schedule and more
Real Madrid have been scoring goals like it’s going out of style, while Athletic Club are off to a nightmare start.
Manuel Queimadelos Alonso
Athletic find themselves in 17th place thanks to just one win and a -2 goal differential in La Liga play. Instead of a game that could be able knocking off Madrid, it’s looking to be a game about how badly with Athletic get beaten. Even if Ronaldo is unable to play -- though it’s looking like he will be available -- Madrid have more than enough firepower to roll over Ernesto Valverde’s squad.
A win on Sunday could give Athletic a desperately needed boost, but it’s going to take a tremendous effort for them to pull it off.
Key Player: Gorka Iraizoz (Athletic Club)
The job of Athletic goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz on Sunday is very simple: somehow keep the ball out of the net. Easy right? Sure, he’s only facing one of the most prolific attacking forces in all of football, though he could get a slight break if Ronaldo and Gareth Bale are hobbled. Whomever plays doesn’t really matter though, Madrid remains very dangerous and if Athletic are going to pull off the upset, they need their goalkeeper to play huge.
Key Matchup: Athletic defense vs. Real Madrid attack
It’s no secret that Real Madrid are pretty good at scoring goals. It’s also no secret that Athletic have been struggling to stop anyone this season. That’s not a good combination for the visitors, especially considering that the Bernabéu is a tough place to play for even the best teams. Unless Bilbao’s attack goes crazy, it’s going to take a big effort from the back line, and the team in general defensively, to get a result against Los Blancos.
Real Madrid injuries and suspensions
Out: Jese Rodriguez (knee), Sami Khedira (knee), Fabio Coentrao (leg). In Doubt: Cristiano Ronaldo (leg).
Athletic Club injuries and suspensions
Out: Kike Sola (muscle), Ager Aketxe (broken toe).
Carlo Ancelotti says Ronaldo is fit for Sunday's match against Athletic Club, but the fact remains he took a hard kick on the back of he leg during their Champions League win during the week. He'll probably play, but it's worth keeping an eye on.
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 9 p.m. local, 3 p.m. ET
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain
TV: beIN Sports, beIN Sports en Español (U.S.), Sky Sports 5/HD (U.K.), beIN Sports (Canada), Canal+ 1/HD/30 (Spain)
Online: beIN Sports CONNECT (U.S.), Sky Go (U.K.), beIN Sports CONNECT (Canada)
See More:
