Real Madrid: Predicting each fixture in the gauntlet schedule of matches ahead

Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao – 1 December 2021

Real Madrid currently have a game-in-hand after their scheduled fixture against Athletic Bilbao was postponed due to certain players not having enough time to be ready for the game post the international break. Finally, the two teams will play the postponed match at the start of the month.

Athletic Bilbao are struggling and with all due respect to the Basque side, this is the easiest match that Real Madrid will have in the next 15 days. Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s an easy match and it is in no way a guaranteed three points. Athletic Bilbao’s problem isn’t necessarily losing games but rather making sure a game is put beyond doubt.

At the time of this article, they have come out with a draw in more than half of their games this season with seven draws out of the 13 matches played. They have only lost twice. Defensively, they’re strong but Real Madrid will need to push them and be very aggressive moving forward to get anything from the game.

Athletic Bilbao have not been able to score more than two goals in any of their matches this season but more often than not, they end the game with just one goal scored. Real Madrid are a goal-scoring machine and will need to demonstrate that during this midweek match.

Expect some minor rotations on the night as Ancelotti will have to very carefully pick and choose who gets rested and at what point. Doing major amendments to the team will be detrimental but making a few tweaks should still ensure that the job is done at the end of the 90 minutes.

Predicted Score: Real Madrid 3-1 Athletic Bilbao