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Real Madrid will face Athletic of Bilbao this Sunday at Santiago Bernabéu in the ninth week for La Liga. Los Blancos receive Athletic Bilbao after the two victories achieved against Betis and Legia Varsovia.

Real Madrid v Athletic Bilbao Preview

After the two consecutive victories of Los Blancos in Seville against Betis thrashing 1-6 and the victory in Champions League against Legia Varsovia, looks like Real Madrid had recovered the confidence. Zidane can’t include in the list for this game very important players like Sergio Ramos, Casemiro and Luka Modric.

Athletic Bilbao is a very difficult rival although they haven’t won in Santiago Bernabéu since 2005. The team managed by Valverde won the last match of La Liga, but in the Europa League they lost against Genk in a very poor match of the Basque team. Players like Balenziaga and Yeray are ruled out and the coach has the doubts of De Marcos and Aduriz.

Team Predictions Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao

Real Madrid (4-3-3): Keylor; Carvajal, Pepe, Varane, Marcelo, Kroos, Isco, Kovaciv, Bale, Benzema y Cristiano.

Athletic (4-2-3-1): Iraizoz; Lekue, Etxeita, Laporte, De Marcos, San Jose, Beñat, Muniain, Raúl García, Williams y Aduriz

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Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao Betting Tips

Real Madrid have won 6, drawn 4 and lost 0 games out of the last 10.
Athletic have won 3, drawn 0 and lost 3 of the last 10 games.

In the last 10 games, Real Madrid have scored an average of 2,8 goals and have received and average of 1,2 goals.
In the last 10 games, Athletic have scored an average of 1,6 goals per game and have conceded 1,2 goals per game.

There have been over 2,5 goals in 7 of the last 10 Real Madrid games.
There have been 2,5 goals in 7 of the last 10 Athletic games.

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Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction

Real Madrid arrive to this match with a lot of confidence after two consecutive victories. Los Blancos have the same points as Atlético Madrid and they are in the top of the table of la Liga Santander. The team managed by Zinedine Zidane has not lost any match in all the season and they want to continue the streak. In the last match we could see the high quality of Isco, being the MVP of the match scoring two goals and being the player that ran more.

Athletic Bilbao are having problems in the Europa League, but in La Liga they are playing quite good being in the sixth position. The team managed by Ernesto Valverde won the last match of the regular season beating Real Sociedad in a great match performed where we could saw the importan player Aduriz can be for Athletic Bilbao.

In the last match of Los Blancos against Athletic Club at Santiago Bernabéu, the team of Zidane won 4-2 in a great game of Cristiano scoring two goals. Real Madrid thrashed Athletic two seasons ago with two goals of Benzema and a hat trick of Cristiano Ronaldo.

 

Free Betting Tips

Match Prediction

Real Madrid to win 2/9 at Betfair.

Over/Under Prediction

Over 2,5 goals a 1/3 at Betfair.

Scorer

Cristiano Ronaldo to score 2 or more goals 15/8 at Betfair.

 

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Real Madrid will face this weekend Athletic Bilbao in the ninth match of the regular season at Santiago Bernabéu. There is a player of Los Blancos that don’t score playing as a local since September and that is very unusual for him. This star is Cristiano Ronaldo.

It has been over a month since Cristiano scored his unique goal in the regular season at Santiago Bernabéu. The Portuguese star scored his last goal in the 10th of September in La Liga against Osasuna, when he opened the scorer in the first five minutes. It was his first goal and the last one he scored in the Real Madrid coliseum in La Liga. Since then, the Portuguese has only found the net once and it was against Real Betis at the Benito Villamarín scoring the goal that closed the big thrash (1-6). We must remember that the Portuguese striker also scored against Sporting Lisbon from a great free kick drawing the game in the very last minute.

This Sunday, Cristiano Ronaldo has a very good chance to increase his goalscoring performance in the season. Real Madrid will face Athletic Club, one of the prefer victims for the Portuguese star. He has scored twelve goals in the seven matches Cristiano played against Athletic at Santiago Bernabéu. In the only match the Portuguese didn’t score as a local against Athletic it was in the 2012-2013 season. In the rest of the games, the Basque team suffered with Cristiano. He has scored 12 goals in the seven games he played at Santiago Bernabéu against Athletic, including two hat tricks (2010-11 and 2014-15 seasons) and he also scored two goals in two matches ( 2011-12 and 2015-16 seasons)

However, Cristiano is the top scorer of Real Madrid since the arrival of Zinedine Zidane in Madrid. The Portuguese striker has scored 30 goals in the 30 matches with Zidane on the bench. The second top scorer with the French manager is Karim Benzema with 15 many fewer goals than Cristiano Ronaldo. He is the highest scorer in this season, tied with Bale and Asensio, scoring four goals if we add all official competitions held so far.

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Thibaut Courtois is one of the best goalkeepers in Europe. When he won La Liga trophy with Atlético de Madrid, most of the European teams wanted to sign him. The Belgian goalkeeper was then playing on loan in Atlético de Madrid from Chelsea, but The Blues had Petr Cech at that time. So there was an option to sign him and Real Madrid were interested. According to some information, Los Blancos haven’t forgotten him.

Courtois said recently in an interview in the British newspaper The Times: “When I left Spain, I knew I was going to come back there”. These words opened some rumours about the future of the young goalkeeper. Courtois is not showing the same skills at Chelsea and he might be frustrated for the recent performance of the blues, failing to qualify to any European competition last year. The start of the season is not satisfactory either, so perhaps he can think in changing team and, according to Calciomercato.com, Real Madrid can be his next destiny.

After these words, Chelsea supporters were not happy at all and he had to calm them down: “I can understand the shock of Chelsea supporters, but I only wanted to say that I want to go back to Spain some day, but it can be also after my career. I’m happy at Chelsea. For how long? We’ll see, but now I want to win titles with this club”, Courtois finished.

Courtois went back to London in 2014 after three years on loan at Atlético de Madrid, where he won La Liga in the last game at Nou Camp. In his first season at Stamford Bridge, with Mourinho on the bench, Courtois also won the Premier League and played 32 games. However, in the next season, he only played 23 games in the Premier League because he suffered a serious knee injury in a disappointed season for the blues.

Zinedine Zidane is now happy with his two goalkeepers: Keylor Navas and Kiko Casilla. However, the club should think about the future and there are several goalkeepers that might match Los Blancos interest. For instance, Florentino Pérez has not forgotten David de Gea and recently Gianluigi Donnarumma, the young Milan goalie, has also been linked with Los Blancos.

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Florentino Pérez spoke in the assembly with the season ticket holders -“socios”- where he explained many important issues of Real Madrid. He highlighted the FIFA sanction, the signing of Zinedine Zidane as player and as manager, about the director of football and how huge Real Madrid is.

Florentino started talking about the director of football, a figure that Real Madrid don’t have in these moments: “We do not need a director of football because the journalists say it. Real Madrid need the best players of the world and we don’t need a director of football for that. We didn’t have a director of football since Jorge Valdano left Madrid and the final decision is made by the person who pays and not the director of football”, Florentino said about the director of football.

When Florentino started to be the president of Real Madrid, the journalists treated him as revolutionary of football because of his millionaire signings: “When I began in football I wanted to sign Zidane, and many people told me that I didn’t know of football because with that amount of money we could signed 5 players rather than one, but I prefer paying a lot for a very good player instead of five players of lower quality. Now he is the manager of our team and I can say that was a success, since we signed him he changed everything”, Florentino affirmed that he was not a revolutionary.

Real Madrid president also talked about the FIFA sanction they received prohibiting to sign any player until January 2018: “We have appealed the sanction and we hope that before January 1st they give us an answer. There’s a clubs who have this sanction and there is someone in the FIFA that thinks there must be homogeneity”, Florentino explained about the sanction of the FIFA.

Florentino finished talking about Real Madrid greatness at clubs level: “We don’t need to show the flag of Spain to say we are Real Madrid and Spanish. We are a universal club that has fans around all the world, not only in our city and our country. Real Madrid is open to everyone”, Real Madrid’s President said.

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Pepe GI

Pepe finishes his contract with Real Madrid at the end of the current season. Luka Modric or Toni Kroos have already extended their contracts with Real Madrid, despite their deals expired in 2018, but Pepe has still to talk with the president to know about his future. Several European teams have approached the defender due to this uncertain future. Where will Pepe play next season? This is a question that a lot of Real Madrid supporters are asking to themselves.

According to The Daily Mirror, one of the teams that are very interested in the Portuguese defender is Chelsea. The Blues haven’t started well this season and Antonio Conte is already thinking on improving his squad so his project can take off soon. Pepe is a target for the South West London club, especially if the European champion can arrive for free to Stamford Bridge.

Pepe has said several times that he wants to retire at Real Madrid. His intention is to continue in the Spanish capital and renew his contract, however, the club might not want the same because the extension of his contract has been postponed although he can leave for free at the end of the season.

“I’m calm, I want to help Real Madrid, a team that I love a lot. My time will arrive. I’m calm. I hope the club call me first so we can solve this situation. People at the club knows that this is my home. I’ve already said that I’ll wait Real Madrid until the last second. My goal is to retire here”, Pepe said after the game against Legia Warsaw in Champions League.

Pepe has become one of the best defenders in the world. Despite his age –he turns 34 in February– he is at the top of this career. He helped Real Madrid to win the Champions League and was one of the best players in the last Euro with Portugal. He’s also one of the captains of Real Madrid and his behaviour has improved a lot in the recent years. It would make no sense that Real Madrid decide not to extend his contract, at least one year more, after 10 years defending Los Blancos t-shirt.

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Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández is doing great with his team Bayer Leverkusen. The Mexican striker arrived to the Bundesliga club last year, when he scored 17 goals in the German competition. This year, Chicharito has scored 5 goals so far in Bundesliga and one more in the Champions League fixture against Monaco. Yesterday, he almost scored against Tottenham Hotspur but he found Hugo Lloris espectacular save.

Before Morata’s arrival to Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid were looking for a striker who can be used to sit on the bench but can make the difference. Chicharito has proved himself perfect for this both in Real Madrid and Manchester United. However, the Mexican striker didn’t move from Leverkusen and he’s finally enjoying the minutes he deserves.

But Real Madrid have not forgotten the forward. Los Blancos club director Santiago Aguado told Fox Sports that Chicharito might go back in the future to Madrid: “Yes, I’d like to see Chicharito back at Real Madrid as we feel that he is an excellent player”, Aguado said.

Manuel Cerezo, also Real Madrid businessman, agrees with the words of his colleague and he regrets the short time spent in Madrid for the Mexican player “Chicharito needs his time to adapt to the new situation, there is a lack of urgency at Real Madrid and when the opportunity to move to Leverkusen came round it was move he opted for one and it’s great to see him doing well”, he said.

Chicharito Hernández arrived to Madrid on loan from Manchester United in 2014. With Carlo Ancelotti on the bench, the Mexican didn’t have many opportunities and he only played 7 games in the starting line up in La Liga, scoring 7 goals. He participated in 23 games in La Liga but always at the end of the matches. However, his most important goal arrived in the Champions League quarter final round against Atlético de Madrid. He scored the key goal in the draw, giving Real Madrid the opportunity to play another semi finals.

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Luka Modric

The day after the victory against Legia Warsaw, Luka Modric attended the journalist in the press conference. The club made public the extension of Modric contract until 2020, when the player will turn 35 years old: “I hope this is not my last renewal. My desire and my idea is retiring at Real Madrid. With this renewal, I’m closer to the challenge”, the midfielder said.

The Croatian footballer arrived to Madrid in 2012 after a €30M deal. There were a lot of people criticizing the transfer: “The criticism didn’t hurt me. I knew I arrived to the biggest club in the world, and the demand was maximum. I was ready for this. It didn’t start well, at the beginning, but I didn’t doubt about myself. I knew I’ll triumph. I was sure because of my job”, Modric explained.

Luka Modric started the press conference thanking the club: “It’s a very especial day. I’m very happy and exciting for extending my contract with Real Madrid, the best club in the world. I want to thank the club and Florentino for trusting me. I hope to have many more successful years in the future here”.

The supporters are already missing Luka Modric, who is injured. We don’t know yet when he is coming back: “I feel good. Every day is better. I work hard to come back ASAP. Tell when… I don’t want to. Every day I feel better. I hope to come back soon to the pitch but I can’t say when”.

Modric was also asked about his relationship with Zizou: “My relationship with the coach is very good. From the day he arrived as the first coach of the team. Even when he was Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant, I had a good relationship. I know what he wants for me and I try to do it. I’m thankful for his support every day, also now that I’m injured”.

Finally, the midfielder wanted to explain what title he wants to win this year: “Since I arrived here, I won everything except La Liga. We can say that our priority is winning La Liga. Four years without winning it, it’s too much. This doesn’t mean that we don’t want to win the Champions League, Copa del Rey… We want to be the first defending champions in winning the Champions League”, Modric finished.

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Zinedine Zidane was happy after the back to back victory of Real Madrid against Legia Warsaw. The team thrashed the Polish champions after beating Betis in Seville. Los Blancos are now top of the group along with Borussia Dortmund.

The French coach chose an offensive starting eleven, taking several risks in defence: “It was the option and we had several chances. Of course, defensively we’ve risked more, but it was the choice and we were riskier. However, I don’t think we received so many chances”, Zidane analyze.

Zidane chose a midfield with Asensio, James and Kroos, but this doesn’t mean that Isco will start on Sunday against Athletic: “Today Asensio played and he did well, also James. We’ll see on Sunday”.

There are still some things to improve, according to the French manager: “We can always improve and perhaps we risk a bit, but we had many chances. The important thing today was winning. People always want us to score five, six or seven goal, but we have to work and we did it. The balance hasn’t been good sometimes”.

Zizou also analyzed Cristiano’s performance. The Portuguese couldn’t score any goal and he was quite slow while playing: “Sometimes we expect a lot from him in these games. We all want him to score, even more himself. It matters to me that he has given assists and he scored the last weekend. Give assist is also part of his way of playing, but it’s true that we are always going to demand more because he’s Cristiano”.

Finally, Zidane spoke about the game of Morata and Lucas Vázquez. Both started on the bench but took advantage of their minutes to participate in the last two goals: “Of course they deserve to start, we are going to have many games and everybody is going to have opportunities. But I’m happy with the three attackers. What people want about Cristiano is to score many goals, but the important thing is that he had many chances. He’ll score other day. I’m happy with everybody’s job”.

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Real Madrid thrashed (5-1) Legia Warsaw at Santiago Bernabéu as it was expected in the preview. The game was very easy and the players were very relaxed, actually the Polish champion had a lot of chances to score some other goals. Real Madrid have scored 11 goals in the last two games in back to back victories.

Los Blancos are now top of the group with Borussia Dortmund, who won as well in Lisbon (1-2). Zinedine Zidane made three changes in the line up, if we compare with the game in Seville. Danilo, James Rodríguez and Asensio came in for Carvajal, Isco and Kovacic. Perhaps, Álvaro Morata and Lucas Vázquez deserved more minutes, even more after watching the game.

Real Madrid didn’t start very well the game. Actually, Legia Warsaw had the two first chances, even hitting the bar. However, the Polish team didn’t defend so well and Gareth Bale found a spot to score the first goal in the 16th minute. Just four minutes later, Marcelo score the second with the help of a Polish defender. Real Madrid were already two goals ahead despite conceding many chances. But Danilo committed a non-sense penalty and Radovic didn’t miss the chance. Marco Asensio, in his Champions League debut, brought calm to Bernabéu with the third goal before the half time.

The second half was more boring. Real Madrid players knew that the game was over and they were quite relaxed. Especially, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema were really frustrated without creating any chances. Zidane made some changes and Morata and Lucas came in. Both were the protagonist of the fourth goal with Lucas Vázquez scoring from a great volley after a cross from Morata. The former Juventus player was also the protagonist in the fifth goal, scoring after an assist from Cristiano Ronaldo.

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Luka Modric has extended his contract with Real Madrid until 2020. The club has made official the deal in their website in another good news for the supporters. On Wednesday, Modric will speak in press conference to add a comment to the deal. Modric’s contract expired in 2018.

The Croatian midfielder joined Real Madrid in 2012 for €30M after a tough negotiation with Tottenham Hotspur. Some journalist, including Barcelona press, criticized the deal but after four years, Luka Modric is one of the best midfielders in the world. The Spurs signed Modric from Dinamo Zagreb in 2008 for €21M, according to Transfermarkt.

Modric is now 31 years old so he will finish his contract with 35 years old, almost finishing his career with Los Blancos. He has played 80 games, scoring 11 goals and giving 27 assists. Now he’s injured and Real Madrid misses him because he has become a key player for every coach he has had.

In these four seasons with Real Madrid, Modric has won the Champions League twice and the UEFA Supercup twice. In Spain, he won Copa del Rey in 2013 but has failed to win any Liga title, being the runner-up three times. This would be the main goal for Modric. In this time, he has scored also very important goals, like the one he scored in Old Trafford against Manchester United in the Champions League.

Modric gets his contract extended only six days after Real Madrid announced a new deal with Toni Kroos, who will be dressed in white until 2022. With these two deals, Real Madrid get their two key players in the midfield tied for many years. The project can continue built in these two midfielders.

After Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, Real Madrid businessmen are working to extend the contracts of Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe. In the next few days, we can have some news regarding these players.

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