La Liga continues with a high-stakes clash at San Mamés as Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid takes place in Round 15. This matchup features two teams with contrasting momentum—Bilbao fighting for consistency, and Real Madrid battling through a difficult run of form filled with draws.
Under the cold 10°C Bilbao weather, expect an intense atmosphere in one of Spain’s loudest stadiums.
Match Overview – Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Fixture | Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid |
| Competition | La Liga 2025/26 – Round 15 |
| Date & Kick-Off | Thursday, December 04, 2025 – 23:30PM |
| Venue | Estadio de San Mamés, Bilbao |
| Capacity | 53,289 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Weather | 10°C |
Athletic come into this match with mixed results—solid defensively but struggling for goals, especially with Iñaki Williams out injured. Meanwhile, Real Madrid are going through a strange phase: competitive in matches but unable to convert dominance into wins, collecting too many draws in a short span.
With both teams missing key players, this match may turn tactical and tight.
Recent Form Guide – Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid
Athletic Bilbao – Last 5 Matches
Athletic’s form has been up-and-down, with issues in front of goal but good defensive stability.
| Match | Date | Result | Score | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 29 Nov | Win | 2–0 vs Levante | Win |
| 2 | 25 Nov | Draw | 0–0 vs Slavia Prague | Draw |
| 3 | 22 Nov | Loss | 0–4 vs Barcelona | Loss |
| 4 | 09 Nov | Win | 1–0 vs Real Oviedo | Win |
| 5 | 05 Nov | Loss | 0–2 vs Newcastle | Loss |
Real Madrid – Last 5 Matches
Real Madrid’s biggest problem right now is failing to close games, drawing three of their last five matches.
| Match | Date | Result | Score | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30 Nov | Draw | 1–1 vs Girona | Draw |
| 2 | 26 Nov | Win | 4–3 vs Olympiacos | Win |
| 3 | 23 Nov | Draw | 2–2 vs Elche | Draw |
| 4 | 09 Nov | Draw | 0–0 vs Rayo Vallecano | Draw |
| 5 | 04 Nov | Loss | 0–1 vs Liverpool | Loss |
Head-to-Head – Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid (Last 5 Meetings)
| Date | Competition | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 20, 2025 | La Liga | Real Madrid | 1–0 | Athletic |
| Dec 4, 2024 | La Liga | Athletic | 2–1 | Real Madrid |
| Mar 31, 2024 | La Liga | Real Madrid | 2–0 | Athletic |
| Aug 12, 2023 | La Liga | Athletic | 0–2 | Real Madrid |
| Jun 4, 2023 | La Liga | Real Madrid | 1–1 | Athletic |
Head-to-Head Summary
- Real Madrid Wins: 3
- Athletic Bilbao Wins: 1
- Draws: 1
Real Madrid have historically dominated this fixture, but Athletic’s struggles usually improve significantly at home.
Key Players to Watch
Athletic Bilbao – Nico Williams
- 3 Goals • 1 Assist • 10 Matches
Nico Williams is the main attacking spark for Bilbao, especially with Iñaki Williams injured. His pace, creativity, and ability to take on defenders will be crucial in breaking Madrid’s defensive line.
Real Madrid – Kylian Mbappé
- 14 Goals • 3 Assists • 14 Matches
Mbappé continues to be Real Madrid’s most decisive player despite the team’s recent struggles. His 1v1 ability, blistering pace, and movement between the lines make him the biggest threat on the pitch.
Predicted Lineups – Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid
| Team | Formation | Predicted XI |
|---|---|---|
| Athletic Bilbao | 4-2-3-1 | Unai Simón – Gorosabel, Vivian, Laporte, Yuri – Jauregizar, Galarreta – Berenguer, Unai Gómez, Nico Williams – Guruzeta |
| Real Madrid | 4-2-3-1 | Courtois – Alexander-Arnold, Militão, Rüdiger, Carreras – Tchouaméni, Camavinga – Valverde, Bellingham, Vinicius Jr – Mbappé |
Unavailable Players – Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid
| Team | Unavailable | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Athletic Bilbao | Robert Navarro, Unai Eguiluz, Benat Prados, Iñaki Williams, Maroan Sannadi | Injuries |
| Real Madrid | Ferland Mendy, Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Dean Huijsen | Injuries |
Both sides are missing important defensive players, which may influence the style and tempo of the match.
Statistical Projection – Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid
| Metric | Athletic Bilbao | Real Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | ~44% | ~56% |
| Shots on Target | 3–4 | 5–7 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 0.8–1.1 | 1.5–1.9 |
| Clean Sheet Probability | 22% | 38% |
| Corners | 4–6 | 5–7 |
| Big Chance Creation | 1–2 | 3–4 |
| Goal Probability (Team) | 62% | 79% |
| Most Likely Scorer Probability | Nico Williams (28%) | Kylian Mbappé (57%) |
Prediction Summary – Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid
This match features two teams with contrasting strengths:
- Athletic Bilbao are strong at home and defensively organized, but their attack lacks clinical finishing without Iñaki Williams.
- Real Madrid have elite attackers but are inconsistent defensively and drop too many points.
Expect Bilbao to press intensely early, while Madrid rely on transitions through Mbappé, Vini Jr, and Bellingham.
A tight, physical match is likely, with goals at both ends.
Final Score Prediction: Athletic Bilbao 1–2 Real Madrid
Likely Scorers:
- Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao)
- Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)
- Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
Confidence Levels:
- 🔴 Real Madrid Win – 46%
- 🟡 Draw – 33%
- ⚪ Athletic Bilbao Win – 21%
Red More:-
Betting Tips by E2bet– Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid
- Anytime Scorer: Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid)
- Match Result: Real Madrid Win
- Both Teams to Score: Yes
- Total Goals: Over 2.5
FAQs – Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid
1.When is Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid?
Thursday, December 04, 2025 at 23:30 PM (San Mamés).
2.Which team is in better form?
Real Madrid—despite drawing often, they remain tougher to beat.
3.Who are the top scorers entering the match?
Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao) – 3 goals
Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) – 14 goals
4.What is the predicted scoreline?
Athletic Bilbao 1–2 Real Madrid.
5.What type of match should we expect?
A tactical, intense, and physical battle with chances for both sides, but with Real Madrid’s attackers likely making the difference.