Real Madrid have gone through a couple of sluggish performances in their first four La Liga games, but no one is even close to pushing the panic button yet. They have the league’s top goal differential, they’re in third place behind their two top rivals, and they’re the only team in Spain yet to concede a goal this season. On Wednesday, they travel to the Basque Country to take on a talented Athletic Bilbao team.
Real Madrid vs. Athletic Bilbao 2015 live stream: Start time, TV schedule and how to watch La Liga online
A trip to the San Mames is never easy.
Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images
While Athletic sit down in 14th place on just three points, they’re expected to improve significantly. And while their performance over the weekend against Villarreal wasn’t great, their comfortable wins over Getafe and Bundesliga side Augsburg were very encouraging. Between La Liga and the Europa League group stage, veteran striker Aritz Aduriz has five goals in five games, so they certainly have the firepower to test Madrid.
Lucas Vázquez was somewhat controversially preferred to Jese Rodriguez over the weekend for Madrid, and turned in a decent, but unspectacular, performance. Madridistas will be asking for a change to the front line for this game.
How will Cristiano Ronaldo be used?
Between their new coach and injury issues, Real Madrid haven't settled into a system with defined roles for their top players quite yet. Ronaldo has played on the left and at center forward, to mixed results. James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale are out again for this match, so it's anyone's guess how Rafa Benitez sets up his team.
Upset potential - Moderate
The San Mames is historically a very difficult place to go for top teams, but Athletic Bilbao aren't off to the best start -- they've already lost three times. The good news for them is that only one of those losses was at home, and it was a narrow one to Barcelona. They'll believe they can get a point from this game.
Athletic Bilbao injuries and suspensions
Out: Jonas Ramalho (knee).
Real Madrid injuries and suspensions
Out: Gareth Bale (calf), James Rodriguez (thigh), Danilo (foot). In doubt: Sergio Ramos (shoulder).
Match Date/Time: Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET, 9 p.m. local
Venue: Estadio San Mames, Bilbao, Spain
TV: beIN Sports en Español (U.S. and Canada - Spanish), Sky Sports 4 (U.K.)
Online: beIN Sports Connect (U.S. and Canada), Sky Go (U.K.)
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