Real Madrid vs. Athletic Club: Tactical Analysis & Key Battles (Apr 20, 2025)

Based on the information available as of April 19, 2025, here’s a prediction for the Real Madrid vs. Athletic Club match scheduled for April 20, 2025:
Prediction:
Most sources predict a Real Madrid win, but with a close margin and potentially a low-scoring game.
- Score Prediction: Several sources suggest a 1-0 or 2-1 victory for Real Madrid. A 1-1 draw is also a possibility according to one source.
- Under/Over Goals: Many predict under 2.5 or 3.5 goals in the match.
Reasoning:
- Real Madrid’s Home Advantage: Historically, Real Madrid has a strong record against Athletic Club at the Santiago Bernabéu. Athletic Club hasn’t won at the Bernabéu since the 2004/05 season.
- Real Madrid’s League Position: Real Madrid is currently in 2nd place in La Liga with 66 points and will be aiming to close the gap with the league leaders, Barcelona.
- Athletic Club’s Good Form: Athletic Club is in excellent form, currently in 4th place with 57 points and unbeaten in their last eight matches across all competitions (including a recent 2-1 victory against Real Madrid in December 2024 at San Mamés). They are also in the semi-finals of the Europa League, boosting their morale.
- Real Madrid’s Recent Form: Real Madrid’s recent form has been somewhat inconsistent, with only one win in their last four games across all competitions, including a disappointing Champions League exit against Arsenal.
- Key Player Absences: Real Madrid will be without Kylian Mbappé due to suspension.
- Tactical Battle: The match is expected to be a tactical battle, with Real Madrid likely to dominate possession, while Athletic Club will rely on a strong defense and counter-attacking opportunities.
Key Points to Consider:
- Real Madrid will be looking to bounce back from their Champions League defeat and put pressure on Barcelona in the La Liga title race.
- Athletic Club will be confident after their recent good run and will aim to secure a valuable away win to strengthen their Champions League qualification chances.
- The absence of Mbappé could impact Real Madrid’s attack.
- Athletic Club’s solid defense could make it difficult for Real Madrid to score много goals.
In conclusion, while Athletic Club is in good form, Real Madrid’s home advantage and need for a win might give them a slight edge in what is expected to be a tightly contested match.