Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao: Prediction, facts, line-ups and H2H — May 23, 2026
La Liga’s closing round brings us a clash between Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao, set to take place on Saturday, May 23, with kick-off scheduled for 21:00 CET. Here is the recommended bet for the matchup.
Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao: Match facts and H2H
- Real Madrid have lost just one of their last six matches.
- Los Blancos have suffered only one defeat in their previous seven home fixtures.
- Athletic Bilbao are winless in their last three matches.
- Bilbao have lost five of their last six away games.
- Athletic Bilbao have conceded in five consecutive matches.
- Real Madrid have kept clean sheets in 33% of their matches this season, while Bilbao have managed it in just 11%.
- Athletic Bilbao have failed to score in defeat in 31% of their matches this season, compared to just 8% for Real Madrid.
- In 41% of their matches this season, Real Madrid have scored in both halves.
- In the most recent meeting between the sides, Real Madrid cruised to a 3–0 victory.
Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao: Match preview
Real Madrid are set to finish second in the La Liga standings this season. They are mathematically secure in that position but have no chance of catching Barcelona, currently trailing by 11 points after 37 rounds.
Overall, it marks a second straight trophyless campaign for Los Blancos. Another managerial change is also on the horizon, with José Mourinho set to replace Álvaro Arbeloa in the dugout.
Athletic Bilbao are also preparing for change on the touchline. Ernesto Valverde has already confirmed that he will leave the Basque club at the end of the season.
After 37 rounds, Bilbao have collected 45 points and sit 12th in the table. Their hopes of European qualification are still mathematically alive, as they trail seventh place by three points, but they would need to win and rely on several other results going their way — a scenario that looks highly unlikely.
Probable line-ups
- Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Rüdiger, Huijsen, Fran García; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Bellingham; Brahim, Mbappé, Mastantuono
- Athletic Bilbao: Simón; Gorosabel, Álvarez, Laporte, Boiro; Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar; Iñaki Williams, Navarro, Berenguer; Guruzeta
Prediction
Real Madrid should have enough quality to sign off the season on a high, and the recommended bet is a victory for the Royal Club.
