Real Madrid vs. Athletic Bilbao – Although there is even 15 points difference between these two team we will call it a derby of the round, because these are the big rivals and they both play in the Europe this season. Real is just third at the table and has four points less than the leader with one game more, so they cannot afford another mistake. Athletic plays very changeable, they dropped out from the Cup and played only draw at home in last round. Real, on the other hand, is without mercy when plays at home field, while they struggle a lot at away games, where they regularly receive some goal. Same happened in Bilbao in first part of this season, but Real still celebrated with 2:1. Things does not go very well for Athletic in Madrid for several past years and they haven’t celebrated at the Bernabeu since 2005. Begins: 13.02.2016. – 15:00 GMT
Lately Real is showing two sides. At home field they are very playful and in mood to score, they leave no space for visitors and regularly score 5 or 6 goals, so now they have average score of four goals scored at the Bernabeu. As visitors they are not as closely good and they are struggling ever since they were defeated by Villarreal. That was also their last defeat, but since then they only played draw against Valencia and Betis, and in last round they celebrated against Granada with 2:1.
The deciding goal scored midfielder Modric who once again played whole match very well and is excellent leader from the Madrid team, while Ronaldo failed and lately only scores in Madrid. Considering they are now hosts again a better performance is expected, but also they have another injured player, Marcelo, who is not going to play this game and will join previously injured Pepe and Bale. Instead of Marcelo, Nacho is going to play and this will probably be the only change in staring line ups.
Athletic lately plays very changeable but it must be said they also lately played against some tougher opponents and therefore they should not be unsatisfied. Against Barcelona in the quarterfinals of the Cup they could not do anything and they lost both matches, with addition that Barcelona defeated them convincingly in the championship as well. Sevilla defeated them as well, and in last round against Villarreal they played match without goals at the San Mames. Some weaker rivals, like Eibar and Getafe they managed to defeat, but now again they have one hard task ahead of them. Good thing for Athletic is that they have nothing to lose here, practically, but for many years they haven’t gained nothing either except a net full of goals.
Against Real they play much better at home field, and in this case their team is also weakened. Last round game against Villarreal was one very rough and because of that San Jose and Williams will not be playing this match, first one because of the yellow cards, and second due to red card he got. Ibai Gomez and Raul Garcia are injured, while Etxeita and M. Susaeta are in question so some forced changes will have to be made and will probably play more defensively.
Real Madrid: Navas – Carvajal, Varane, S. amos, Nacho – T. Kroos, Modric – J. Rodriguez, Isco, C. Ronaldo – Benzema
Real Madrid
Lately Real is showing two sides. At home field they are very playful and in mood to score, they leave no space for visitors and regularly score 5 or 6 goals, so now they have average score of four goals scored at the Bernabeu. As visitors they are not as closely good and they are struggling ever since they were defeated by Villarreal. That was also their last defeat, but since then they only played draw against Valencia and Betis, and in last round they celebrated against Granada with 2:1.
The deciding goal scored midfielder Modric who once again played whole match very well and is excellent leader from the Madrid team, while Ronaldo failed and lately only scores in Madrid. Considering they are now hosts again a better performance is expected, but also they have another injured player, Marcelo, who is not going to play this game and will join previously injured Pepe and Bale. Instead of Marcelo, Nacho is going to play and this will probably be the only change in staring line ups.
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic lately plays very changeable but it must be said they also lately played against some tougher opponents and therefore they should not be unsatisfied. Against Barcelona in the quarterfinals of the Cup they could not do anything and they lost both matches, with addition that Barcelona defeated them convincingly in the championship as well. Sevilla defeated them as well, and in last round against Villarreal they played match without goals at the San Mames. Some weaker rivals, like Eibar and Getafe they managed to defeat, but now again they have one hard task ahead of them. Good thing for Athletic is that they have nothing to lose here, practically, but for many years they haven’t gained nothing either except a net full of goals.
Against Real they play much better at home field, and in this case their team is also weakened. Last round game against Villarreal was one very rough and because of that San Jose and Williams will not be playing this match, first one because of the yellow cards, and second due to red card he got. Ibai Gomez and Raul Garcia are injured, while Etxeita and M. Susaeta are in question so some forced changes will have to be made and will probably play more defensively.
Probable lineups
Athletic Bilbao: Iraizoz – Boveda, Laporte, Etxeita, Balenziaga – Benat, M. Rico – de Marcos, Eraso, Iker Muniain – Aduriz
Real Madrid: Navas – Carvajal, Varane, S. amos, Nacho – T. Kroos, Modric – J. Rodriguez, Isco, C. Ronaldo – Benzema
