Real Madrid Vs Athletic Bilbao Preview and Prediction

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Day: 8 May 2010
Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
Kick off: 21:00 CET

Real Madrid have won their last five matches league matches while Athletic Bilbao are winless in their last five. With two matches left in the Spanish Primera Division (La Liga) season, Real Madrid need to with both to have a chance at catching FC Barcelona. They are one point back of their rivals but don’t hold the tiebreaker.

Athletic Bilbao are within reach of a Europa League spot and one point back of sixth place. They will need at least one win their final two matches to get the last Europa League spot and probably more than that. Their away record is 4-5-9 with a -9 goal difference.

Real Madrid Player Information (Source goal.com)

Pepe is making good progress with his knee ligament injury, but he isn’t yet ready to make a competitive return to action, while Raul is also missing.

Rafael van der Vaart has trained lightly in recent days, and there is reducing concern over the fitness of Lassana Diarra, who has also been able to work-out gently.

Probable Starting XI: Casillas; Arbeloa, Ramos, Albiol, Marcelo; Gago, Alonso, Granero; Kaka; Higuain, Ronaldo

Athletic Bilbao Player Information (Source goal.com)

Los Leones still have a number of persistent long-term casualties, though none of these players, who include Ion Velez and Aitor Ocio are considered automatic starters.

There are doubts over the fitness of regular first teamers such as Koikili, Pablo Orbaiz and Javier Martinez.

Probable Starting XI: Iraizoz; Iraola, San Jose, Amorebieta, Castillo; Susaeta, Gurpegi, Iturraspe, Gabilondo; Toquero, Llorente

Real Madrid Vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction:

Wosb.com: Score Prediction - 3:0

Soccervista.com: Score Prediction - 3:1

Vitibet.com: Score Prediction - 3:0

Goal.com: Had this match been played at San Mames, there would have been a chance of Real slipping up. Given what’s at stake, Manuel Pellegrini’s side simply won’t fail in this encounter, though Athletic have already shown that they have the tools to trouble los Blancos and will certainly not make life easy for a side they simply love to beat. With Cristiano Ronaldo in inspired for, expect los Merengues to send out another strong message to Barcelona.

Real Madrid 3-0 Athletic Bilbao