Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao
There’s a clash of cultures at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday when Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid welcomes Athletic Bilbao in La Liga Round 18.
Los Blancos have long been known as the Galacticos, drawing on the biggest talents from world football in their pursuit of glory. David Beckham, Luis Figo, Zidane himself and Cristiano Ronaldo have all graced the Bernabeu as Real Madrid gobbled up 33 La Liga titles and countless cups, and they are well in the hunt again this year.
In contrast, Athletic Bilbao only draws players from the Basque Country, and what they lack in star quality they have always made up for in terms of pride and fighting spirit.
The pre-match SBOBET odds show just how big a task Los Leones face on Sunday, with the hosts heavily odds on at 1.37 to pick up all three points.
Talking Points
Los Blancos keeping pace with Barca
Much of the pre-season La Liga 2019 news surrounded the apparent turmoil in Madrid as Zidane, still suffering the loss of Ronaldo to Juventus the previous summer, struggled to put a happy squad together. The Los Blancos boss is yet to see the best of Gareth Bale this season. The Welsh winger was the subject of so much transfer speculation in the pre-season that Zidane became exasperated and said he’d happily wave him off to China!
But Bale’s move didn’t materialise and he’s been in and out of the side. He’s only scored two goals and made two assists in his ten appearances so far, which is okay, but no where near enough to replace the tally racked up by Ronaldo year on year. Karim Benzema is shouldering the burden of goal scoring with 12, and is the joint league leading scorer with Leo Messi. The difference is that Barca’s talisman is backed up by Luis Suarez and Antoine Griezmann, who have scored 15 league goals between them.
So Los Blancos would undoubtedly have been happier with a draw in El Clasico than their opponents, which means the two giants of Spanish football are locked together on 36 points. The latest La Liga 2019 betting odds still have Barca strong favourites to win the title at 1.49, with Real Madrid at 2.77.
Bilbao’s Basque pride
Los Leones’ head coach Gaizka Garitano took over at the San Mames Stadium 12 months ago when Los Leones were deep in relegation trouble; but he steered them to safety and narrowly missed out on a Europa League place.
Athletic Bilbao has an age old policy of recruiting players just from the Basque Country and Garitano believes that means he can attract players to the club for the right reasons: “It’s different when you play not just for money,” he says, “not just to win titles but we play for our jersey, for our families, friends, it is something special in the world.”
For this writer, speaking as a Burnley fan, those words have great resonance!
Garitano, who worked his way up at Bilbao, continues: “We are proud of doing things this way.” And the policy hasn’t hindered Los Leones greatly. The San Mames Stadium is one of the most atmospheric in the league, with a passionate set of fans, and with a team of players who are not continually sniffing the next contract.
Bilbao has plenty of creative quality with three players sharing the goals. Raul Garcia has five, while Iker Muniain and Inaki Williams both have four goals
One point from the last two games, after a run of three consecutive victories, has left Los Leones in seventh place in the La Liga table, a place and a point behind an automatic Europa place and just three points adrift of a Champions League spot.
History
While they are hoping for a European place at the end of this campaign, Bilbao was a real force to be reckoned with in the eighties, winning back to back titles in 1983 and 1984, but they can no longer compete with their hosts in terms of playing riches.
The head to heads are clearly in Real Madrid’s favour. Of the 54 games played since 1993, Los Blancos have won 34 to Bilbao’s 11 and there have been nine draws, with Real winning this fixture 3-0 last season. Moreover, when playing at home, Real Madrid have not lost to Athletic in their last 15 encounters.
Bilbao’s away record this season is one win, four draws and three defeats while Real are unbeaten in 11 games at the Bernabeu.
Betting Tip
 |
 |
Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao | Total Goals 2-3 @ 2.07 |
| December 23, 04:00 (GMT+8) |
Real Madrid are at 1.37 to win this game, with the draw at 4.60 and Athletic Bilbao out at 8.00.
On the face of it, Los Blancos should collect all three points, but Los Leones have a talented squad which is always up for the fight. ZZ will be more than happy for his team to win by the odd goal in three.
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.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
