Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao
While there’s a chance there is hope.
That is the reality facing Athletic Bilbao as they prepare to travel to the Bernabeu at the conclusion of La Liga on Sunday.
The maths are simple; the task far from it.
Talking Points
Win or draw and the Basque outfit could qualify for Europe next season and seal the seventh and final spot available to Spanish clubs via the league standings.
Lose and there will be no Europa Conference League combat for them next term, which would be a shame in the year the club is marking its 125th anniversary.
Even if they do win, however, victory may not be enough given Osasuna will stay in front of them if they see off Girona at home – opponents who themselves have a chance of finishing seventh as only a point separates the three clubs.
Bilbao, who have long had an unwritten rule where the club will only sign players who were born in the Basque Country, may well feel aggrieved given they have a better goal difference than Osasuna but, as the table is based on head-to-head encounters, fate is not in their own hands.
What’s more, they are facing a Real Madrid side which will want to finish the campaign on a high and claim the runners-up berth from their city rivals Atletico.
Their job will be harder should Vinicius Junior – named in my La Liga team of the season – return.
A knee injury has forced him to miss games against Rayo Vallecano and Sevilla in the past few weeks but he could be set to return alongside Marco Asensio.
Dani Carvajal will be back from suspension and, while Karim Benzema and Mariano Diaz are still doubts with muscle problems, Real will want to put on a show if it turns out to be the Frenchman’s swansong.
The prolific marksman, reportedly close to joining Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad on a two-year deal when his contract expires this month, certainly has had the scoring knack against Bilbao over the years.
Who knows, perhaps it will be a farewell to for Carlo Ancelotti (for the second time) too, reportedly the preferred choice of the Brazilian Football Federation to become the national team’s head coach.
If he does leave the Spanish capital, the wily Italian will be a very hard act to replace as one of the best managers in history, let alone of his generation.
They call this El Viejo Clasico which, translated, basically means the ‘other classic’, the name given to any football encounter between Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid.
Surely that means La Liga highlights will follow this Sunday teatime?
History
When they met in Copa del Rey quarter-finals in February last year, an 89th minute goal from Alejandro Berenguer helped Bilbao clinch a memorable 1-0 success.
Madrid recovered well, of course, and went onto clinch a La Liga and Champions League double.
When they met earlier this season at San Mames, goals from Benzema and Toni Kroos helped Real Madrid run out 2-0 winners.
Much has changed over the last half century or so.
The Basques and Real met in nine Cup finals between 1903 and 1958 with Bilbao triumphing in six of those matches.
Madrid have dominated generally in modern times but Bilbao have actually got the better of their illustrious counterparts on occasions.
Cast your mind back to the 2021 Spanish Super Cup and a Bilbao victory in the semi-final over Real through two Raul Garcia goals which sealed victory before they went onto lift the trophy.
Real have won seven of their last eight meetings, though, including in last season’s Spanish Super Cup Final, a 2-0 success courtesy of goals from Benzema and Luka Modric.
Betting Tip
Real Madrid are very rarely anything but favourites when it comes to home advantage and this is no different with the SBOTOP La Liga betting odds this weekend.
So how about Los Blancos 1X2 @ 2.00 or Asian Handicap – 0.75 @ 2.28.
Bilbao are not ruled out completely, mind, priced 1X2 @ 3.35, Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 2.17 and with the 1X2 Draw @ 3.30.
Another 2-0 Real success, just like earlier this term, is on offer @ 10.50 with Correct Score.
With it being the final day of the season, there may be an element of kamikaze football and a fair few goals. The offers include over 3.00 goals @ 2.14, Total Goals 2-3 @ 1.99 and 4-6 @ 2.91.
I am backing Real to win and my *** tip is Asian Handicap – 0.75 @ 2.28.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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