Explore My Football Facts' detailed preview for Real Madrid vs Athletic Club in the La Liga. Stats, odds, predictions, and lineups for the 20:00 BST match.
Fixture Information
| Fixture | Real Madrid vs Athletic Club |
|---|---|
| Competition | La Liga |
| Date | Saturday, 23 May 2026 |
| Kick-off | 20:00 BST |
| Venue | Estadio Santiago Bernabéu |
Match Prediction: Real Madrid 3-1 Athletic Club
Prediction Stats
Fulltime Result Probability
Both Teams To Score Probability
Over/Under 2.5 Probability
Last 5 Meetings
| League | Date | Match | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Liga | 03 Dec 2025 |  Athletic Club vs  Real Madrid |
0 – 3 | San Mamés Barria |
| La Liga | 20 Apr 2025 | Real Madrid vs Athletic Club |
1 – 0 | Estadio Santiago Bernabéu |
| La Liga | 04 Dec 2024 | Athletic Club vs Real Madrid |
2 – 1 | San Mamés Barria |
| La Liga | 31 Mar 2024 | Real Madrid vs Athletic Club |
2 – 0 | Estadio Santiago Bernabéu |
| La Liga | 12 Aug 2023 | Athletic Club vs Real Madrid |
0 – 2 | Estadio Santa María de Lezama |
Real Madrid come into this with three wins from their last five league matches, and the recent 1-0 win at Sevilla suggests they are still capable of controlling tight games. Athletic Club have taken just one point from their last three league outings, so the form line points towards the home side having the stronger base going into this one. With no xG data available, the clearest guide is the results trend and the fact Real Madrid have also kept clean sheets in two of their last three wins.
Athletic Club have shown they can score, but they have also conceded in four of their last five league matches, which leaves them vulnerable against a side with Real Madrid’s attacking options. The head-to-head record also leans towards the hosts, with Real Madrid winning four of the last five meetings. On that basis, a home win with both teams scoring looks the most data-backed angle.
Form Guide & Team Overview
Real Madrid
Real Madrid arrive in decent league form, with three wins, one draw and one defeat across their last five matches. The wins over Sevilla, Real Oviedo and Espanyol all came with clean sheets, which underlines a solid defensive base in those games.
Their only defeat in that run was the 2-0 loss at FC Barcelona, while the 1-1 draw at Real Betis shows they have also been able to avoid defeat away from home when needed. Overall, the recent results suggest a side that is generally controlling matches well enough to stay in winning positions.
Real Madrid Last 5 Results
| League | Date | Match | Score | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Liga | 17 May 2026 |  Sevilla vs Real Madrid |
0 – 1 | W | Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán |
| La Liga | 14 May 2026 | Real Madrid vs  Real Oviedo |
2 – 0 | W | Estadio Santiago Bernabéu |
| La Liga | 10 May 2026 |  FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid |
2 – 0 | L | Camp Nou |
| La Liga | 3 May 2026 |  Espanyol vs Real Madrid |
0 – 2 | W | RCDE Stadium |
| La Liga | 24 Apr 2026 |  Real Betis vs Real Madrid |
1 – 1 | D | Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla |
Athletic Club
Athletic Club’s recent league form is less convincing, with one win, one draw and three defeats in their last five. They have failed to win any of their last three, and the 1-1 draw with Celta de Vigo came after back-to-back losses to Espanyol and Valencia.
The 4-2 win at Deportivo Alavés shows they can still produce goals, but the wider pattern is one of inconsistency and defensive vulnerability. Conceding in four of those five matches is a concern heading into a trip to the Bernabéu.
Athletic Club Last 5 Results
| League | Date | Match | Score | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Liga | 17 May 2026 | Athletic Club vs  Celta de Vigo |
1 – 1 | D | San Mamés Barria |
| La Liga | 13 May 2026 | Espanyol vs Athletic Club |
2 – 0 | L | RCDE Stadium |
| La Liga | 10 May 2026 | Athletic Club vs  Valencia |
0 – 1 | L | San Mamés Barria |
| La Liga | 2 May 2026 |  Deportivo Alavés vs Athletic Club |
2 – 4 | W | Estadio de Mendizorroza |
| La Liga | 25 Apr 2026 |  Atlético Madrid vs Athletic Club |
3 – 2 | L | Riyadh Air Metropolitano |
Team News & Injury Report
Real Madrid
- Federico Valverde (Head Injury)
Athletic Club
- Nico Williams (Hamstring Injury)
Lineups & Tactical Setup
Real Madrid (4-3-3)
Predicted lineup: Thibaut Courtois (Goalkeeper), Antonio Rüdiger (Defender), Daniel Carvajal (Defender), Dean Huijsen (Defender), Fran García (Defender), Aurélien Tchouaméni (Midfielder), Jude Bellingham (Midfielder), Thiago Pitarch (Midfielder), Brahim Díaz (Attacker), Kylian Mbappé (Attacker), Vinicius Junior (Attacker)
Real Madrid’s predicted 4-3-3 should give them width through Brahim Díaz and Vinicius Junior, while Kylian Mbappé offers a direct central threat. Aurélien Tchouaméni and Jude Bellingham can help them control the middle of the pitch and support attacks from deeper areas.
Athletic Club (4-2-3-1)
Predicted lineup: Unai Simón (Goalkeeper), Andoni Gorosabel (Defender), Aymeric Laporte (Defender), Yeray Álvarez (Defender), Yuri Berchiche (Defender), Iñaki Williams (Midfielder), Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta (Midfielder), Mikel Jauregizar (Midfielder), Unai Gómez (Midfielder), Álex Berenguer (Midfielder), Gorka Guruzeta (Attacker)
Athletic Club’s predicted 4-2-3-1 gives them a compact midfield base, with Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta and Mikel Jauregizar likely tasked with protecting the back four. The shape also leaves Gorka Guruzeta as the main reference point up front, with support expected from the wider midfield runners.
Key Battles & Players to Watch
| Real Madrid | Athletic Club | Key Battle Overview |
|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid | Athletic Club | Brahim Díaz’s movement against Andoni Gorosabel could be important if Real Madrid want to create space between the lines and get into crossing or shooting positions. |
| Real Madrid | Athletic Club | Aurélien Tchouaméni against Iñaki Williams matters because Real Madrid will want to limit Athletic Club’s direct running and transitions through the middle. |
| Real Madrid | Athletic Club | Brahim Díaz is key for Real Madrid because he has featured in both recent attacking and midfield roles, giving them flexibility in how they build attacks. |
| Real Madrid | Athletic Club | Gorka Guruzeta is key for Athletic Club because he is the central attacking outlet in the predicted 4-2-3-1 and will need to make chances count. |
FAQs
For the best La Liga outright predictions, explore our guide.
Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.
