Real Madrid will look to close out a frustrating 2025-26 La Liga season with a home victory when they welcome Athletic Bilbao to the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday night. Los Blancos have already secured second place, but finishing 11 points behind champions FC Barcelona has made this campaign feel like a major disappointment in Madrid.
This will also mark the final match in charge for club legend Alvaro Arbeloa, with reports indicating that Jose Mourinho is set for a dramatic return to the Bernabéu next week. Despite the lack of silverware, Madrid have remained dominant at home, collecting 46 points from 18 league matches in front of their fans.
Madrid come into the contest after a narrow 1-0 victory over Sevilla FC, and they also comfortably beat Athletic 3-0 earlier this season. Historically, the fixture has heavily favoured Los Blancos, who have won 125 of the 249 meetings between the two clubs. Athletic have also struggled badly at the Bernabéu, with their last league win there coming back in January 2021.
For Athletic, this match signals the end of an era as well. Veteran coach Ernesto Valverde will step down after the season finale, with former Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic already confirmed as his successor. Athletic’s drop-off has been steep after finishing fourth last season and competing in the Champions League this year. They currently sit 12th and have already missed out on European qualification.
Team News
Madrid are expected to be without Vinicius Junior, who is preparing to join Brazil’s national team camp ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Injuries will also sideline Rodrygo, Arda Guler, Eder Militao and Ferland Mendy.There is better news surrounding captain Federico Valverde, who has recovered from a recent head injury and is expected to start alongside Aurelien Tchouameni and Jude Bellingham in midfield. The absence of Vinicius could allow highly-rated youngster Franco Mastantuono to start alongside Brahim Diaz and Kylian Mbappe in attack.
Athletic will definitely be missing Nico Williams, Oihan Sancet and suspended defender Yuri Berchiche. Doubts also remain over Dani Vivian and several other squad players ahead of kickoff.
Predicted Lineups
Real Madrid possible XI:Courtois; Carvajal, Rudiger, Huijsen, Fran Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Brahim Diaz, Mbappe, Mastantuono
Athletic Bilbao possible XI:
Simon; Gorosabel, Alvarez, Laporte, Boiro; Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar; Inaki Williams, Navarro, Berenguer; Guruzeta
Match Prediction
Real Madrid 2-1 Athletic Bilbao
