Athletic Bilbao v Real Madrid

Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid Preview

Athletic Bilbao will be looking to go one step better this time around in La Liga having narrowly missed out on a European spot at the end of last season's campaign but the hosts face a tough opening fixture against Real Madrid despite holding home advantage at their San Mamés Barria.

Just two points separated Athletic Bilbao and sixth-placed Osasuna who edged Bilbao for the last European place but Athletic Bilbao didn't do enough to warrant that top six finish as the hosts struggled for wins towards the end of the previous campaign.

Athletic Bilbao managed to capture just one win from their final eight matches of last season which came in the shape of a 2-1 home win against Celta Vigo but the hosts were also handed no fewer than five defeats within what proved to be a season-defining period.

Losses at the hands of Sevilla, Real Betis, Villarreal, Osasuna and Elche put paid to any plans Athletic Bilbao may have had in terms of claiming a place in Europe for this season, while results at home also ended in disappointing fashion as Bilbao won just twice in their last eight home games at the San Mamés Barria.

Real Madrid finished runners-up behind their old rivals, Barcelona, but in truth it wasn't much of a contest between the top two clubs as Barcelona claimed the La Liga title by a significant margin of 10 points with Real Madrid having to make do with second spot.

Real Madrid were also guilty of producing inconsistent displays and therefore as a result, inconsistent returns from mid-March through until towards the end of May as the visitors won five but also lost five of the 10 matches played during that period, which ultimately cost them a possible league title.

The visitors did manage to finish last season's campaign with a flourish though as Real Madrid won two of their final three games overall, picking up wins against Rayo Vallecano and Sevilla along with a point in a 1-1 draw at home with Saturday's opponents, Athletic Bilbao.

Athletic Bilbao v Real Madrid Verdict

Both Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid have produced some disappointing results at home and away respectively in recent times in the Spanish top flight; Bilbao have won just two of their last eight home games, while Real Madrid have managed just two wins in their last seven outings on the road.

However, Real Madrid seem to hold the edge over Athletic Bilbao as the visitors have lost just once in their last seven meetings against their hosts and they have also captured four wins on the road when visiting the San Mamés Barria which should give them confidence in gaining a result here this Saturday.

Therefore, our main bet will be Real Madrid win @ 2.10

Other side bets worth considering:

Real Madrid win & Under 2.5 goals @ 5.00

Correct score: Real Madrid 2-0 @ 11.00