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Having suffered early exits from both domestic and continental cup competitions, conceded the league title at the home of their fiercest rivals, and overseen multiple player spats and a mid-season managerial switchover, Saturday’s hosts will be desperate to see the back of a horrendous campaign.
Álvaro Arbeloa takes charge for the final time, after failing to sufficiently impress the club’s hierarchy during his six months in the dugout.
The former Liverpool defender still had a chance of winning up to four pieces of silverware when he took the reins in early January, but Real Madrid will instead conclude the season trophyless for the just the fourth time in two decades.
Athletic Bilbao have also endured an underwhelming campaign. The Basque outfit were unable to advance beyond the opening phase of the Champions League, before losing to local adversaries Real Sociedad at the semi-final stage of the Copa del Rey.
Despite theoretically still being able to qualify for Europe, Ernesto Valverde’s men find themselves just five points above the relegation zone due to their inconsistent league form.
A victory in the Spanish capital could see Bilbao leapfrog seventh-placed Getafe, but they would be reliant on several other results going their way.
Real Madrid v Athletic Bilbao – Key information
Date: Saturday, 23rd May
Kick-off time: 20:00 (BST)
Venue: Bernabéu, Madrid
Referee: TBC
VAR: TBC
TV Channels/Live stream: TBC
Odds: Real Madrid: 12/25, Draw: 15/4, Athletic Bilbao: 9/2
Odds provided by bet365
Real Madrid team news
Álvaro Arbeloa is unable to call upon the services of a host of first-team stars, but Federico Valverde could make his return to action this weekend.
The Uruguayan required stitches following a well-documented altercation with midfield teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni, resulting in him missing his team’s last three fixtures.
Éder Militão and Rodrygo will both miss Brazil’s World Cup campaign after sustaining serious injuries, while Arda Güler is expected to feature in North America despite currently struggling with a hamstring strain. There is still no sign of creative midfielder Dani Ceballos, who tore his calf muscle back in February.
Ferland Mendy underwent successful surgery on his thigh earlier this month, alleviating fears of any long-term repercussions. Given the extent of the damage, some feared the Frenchman’s career could be cut short.
Although Dean Huijsen has shaken off a recent bout of illness, Andriy Lunin is struck down with a viral infection. The Ukrainian goalkeeper had been providing cover during the absence of Thibaut Courtois, but Real Madrid’s number one is now back between the sticks.
Despite being the target of some intense booing from the Madridistas following his controversial trip to Sardinia, Kylian Mbappé is expected to lead the line for the second time in seven days. Dani Carvajal will make his 451st and final appearance for his boyhood club.
Real Madrid predicted line-up v Athletic Bilbao (4-4-2)
Coach: Álvaro Arbeloa
Thibaut Courtois (GK); Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rüdiger, Dean Huijsen, Fran García; Brahim Díaz, Thiago Pitarch Pinar, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Jude Bellingham; Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior
Athletic Bilbao team news
Although his squad has been ravaged by injury in recent weeks, departing Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde is hopeful that several key players are once again available for selection.
Oihan Sancet has trained separately from his teammates this week as he continues to recover from a hamstring problem, as the Pamplona-born playmaker attempts to prove his fitness ahead of the weekend. Fellow attacking midfielder Unai Gómez is also a doubt due to an undisclosed issue.
However, there are no question marks over the condition of Daniel Vivian. The Spanish international defender sprained his ankle during Bilbao’s disappointing defeat to Espanyol, but has completed his rehabilitation ahead of schedule. Nico Williams is nursing a hamstring injury, but remains optimistic about his inclusion in Luis de la Fuente’s Spanish World Cup squad.
After rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament last summer, Unai Egiluz has been dealt another cruel blow. The promising centre-back incurred a fresh ACL tear in training last week, so he faces another extended spell on the sidelines. Beñat Prados is another long-term absentee, while Yuri Berchiche is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the campaign against Celta Vigo.
Athletic Bilbao predicted line-up v Real Madrid (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Ernesto Valverde
Unai Simón (GK); Andoni Gorosabel, Yeray Álvarez, Aymeric Laporte, Adama Boiro; Mikel Jauregizar, Alejandro Rego; Robert Navarro, Iñaki Williams, Álex Berenguer, Gorka Guruzeta
Where to watch on TV or live stream?
Real Madrid and Real Oviedo’s clash will be shown on Premier Sports. To watch, you need to have a Premier Sports subscription, and then the match can be streamed online or on Sky.
Head-to-Head record
Real Madrid boast the far superior head-to-head record in this fixture. Los Blancos recorded their 100th top-flight triumph over Athletic Bilbao last December, when a brace from Kylian Mbappé and an Eduardo Camavinga header handed the visitors all three points at the San Mamés.
Only two fixtures in LaLiga history have produced more victories for one team against another, with Real Madrid (110 wins) and Barcelona (106 wins) both asserting their dominance over Espanyol.
Having failed to win in any of their last 20 league visits to the Bernabéu, Bilbao are clearly heading into this one as underdogs. Nevertheless, the Lions have drawn three of their last eight away LaLiga meetings with Real Madrid, so a positive result isn’t entirely out of the question.
Real Madrid v Athletic Bilbao – Match Result odds
The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change. All odds provided by bet365.