On Wednesday night, Real Madrid faces a potentially tricky trip to face Athletic Club at San Mames, as the visitors look to maintain their lead at the top of La Liga.

ATHLETIC BILBAO

The Basque outfit boosted their chances of pushing into the European spots by recording a surprise 3-2 home win over high-flying Real Betis last time out. The win ended an eight-match winless run in La Liga for Marcelino’s team. They are now ninth in the table and five points from the top-six in the Spanish top-flight.

Athletic’s usually strong home form has slipped slightly of late, as the win over Betis ended a three-game winless run at San Mames in the Spanish top-flight. They had previously lost against Cadiz and Sevilla, while also drawing with Granada.

REAL MADRID

The league leaders recent relentless form came to an end last time out as Carlo Ancelotti’s team drew 0-0 against Cadiz. The game ended a seven-match winning run for Los Blancos in the Spanish top-flight. However, the men from Madrid are still unbeaten in their previous 11 matches in La Liga. Despite the draw, Real Madrid are still six points clear of second-place Sevilla, who have a game in hand.

Real Madrid have been good travellers of late, as they have lost just one of their previous 23 league games in La Liga. The league leaders have also recorded four straight away wins in the Spanish top-flight, while scoring at least two goals in all four of those victories on their travels.

Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid Team News

Athletic could be without goalkeeper Unai Simon and centre-back Inigo Martinez due to illness, while forward Asier Villalibre could miss out through injury.

Real Madrid are expected to be without Luka Modric, Rodrygo, Marcelo and Marcos Asensio due to illness, while Mariano Diaz and Dani Carvajal may miss out through injury.