Athletic Club vs Real Madrid: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction

Real Madrid travel to Bilbao to take on Athletic Club on Wednesday as they look to extend their six-point lead at the top of La Liga.

Los Blancos' faultless recent form ended on Sunday night when they were held to a goalless draw against struggling Cadiz, despite accumulating close to 3.0 in xG.

Their opponents in this one, meanwhile, secured an impressive 3-2 victory over high-flying Real Betis last time out, and will be eager to keep the momentum going.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of the game...

How to watch Athletic Club vs Real Madrid on TV/live stream

When is kick off? Wednesday 22 December, 20:30 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? San Mames
TV channel/live stream? LaLigaTV (UK), ESPN+ (US)
Highlights? La Liga YouTube channel
Referee? Cesar Soto

Athletic Club team news

Athletic are without a string of important players for this one due to a combination of Covid-19 and injury.

Asier Villalibre, Dani Vivian, Peru Nolaskoain and Yuri Berchichie are all sidelined with fitness complaints, while Inigo Martinez and Unai Simon are in isolation.

Real Madrid team news

Real have their own coronavirus-enforced absences to deal with. Marcelo, Marco Asensio, Rodrygo, Gareth Bale and Andriy Lunin are still isolating, as is midfield talisman Luka Modric in what is the biggest blow of all.

Casemiro will also be watching on from the stands through suspension after he was booked against Cadiz. Dani Carvajal is a doubt too with injury.

Read 90min's Real Madrid predicted lineup here.

Athletic Club vs Real Madrid head-to-head record

These two stalwarts of Spanish football have met over 200 times previously in all competitions. Unsurprisingly, Real have historically enjoyed the advantage, racking up 104 wins to their opponents 62, while 36 matches have ended all square.

Recent times have shown little evidence of the tides turning either. Los Blancos are currently on a four-match winning run against Athletic in La Liga and they have not lost to Wednesday's opponents in the league since January 2010. Saying that, the Basque side did triumph in the Spanish Super Cup back in January.

In their most recent meeting on matchday nine this season Real triumphed 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Karim Benzema.

Athletic Club vs Real Madrid score prediction

Real will be eager to get their season back on track following a disappointing draw against Cadiz, and we are expecting them to do exactly that.

On Sunday, Carlo Ancelotti's side did not actually play that badly - they just could not find the net. Although Athletic will make it hard for them again, the likelihood of Real drawing a blank two matches in a row is extremely low.

Prediction: Real Madrid 3-1 Athletic Club

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