MX23RW : Tuesday, December 24 03:00:44| >> :600:99968:99968:
Real Madrid logo
La Liga
Nov 17, 2012 at 9pm UK
 
Athletic Bilbao logo

5-1

Ramos (30'), Özil (56'), Benzema (32'), Khedira (72'), Aurtenetxe (12' og.)
FT(HT: 3-1)
Gomez (42')

Preview: Real Madrid vs. Athletic Bilbao

Preview: Real Madrid vs. Athletic Bilbao
© PA Photos
Sports Mole previews Real Madrid's clash with Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.

One of Spain's biggest rivalries will resume on Saturday when Real Madrid host Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Jose Mourinho's side are currently third in the standings in La Liga with 23 points from 11 matches, eight points behind leaders Barcelona.

Los Blancos are in a formidable form in the league, having lost their last game back in mid-September and winning their last four.

Madrid have also not lost at home in La Liga this season, and have conceded just two goals in five matches.

On the other hand, Bilbao are just four points above the relegation zone in 12th and have lost three of their five league matches away from home.

Marcelo Bielsa's side have struggled both on the pitch and off it, and the Basque giants will be keen to kickstart their campaign with a win against their most bitter rivals.

Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo returned to training on Thursday after recovering from an eye injury and is likely to start against Bilbao.

Los Blancos midfielder Sami Khedira and striker Karim Benzema too have returned to training and are in contention to feature on Saturday.

Bilbao will be without the suspended Ander Herrera and Oscar De Marcos for their trip to the Spanish capital.

Recent form

Real Madrid: WWWDW

Athletic Bilbao: LDWLW

Possible starting lineups:

Real Madrid: Casillas, Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrao, Essien, Alonso, Callejon, Ozil, Di Maria, Ronaldo

Athletic Bilbao: Iraizoz, Iraola, Gurpegui, Amorebieta, Aurtenetxe, Perez, Iturraspe, Martinez, Susaeta, Muniaín, Aduriz

Sports Mole says: 2-1


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Written by
Subhankar Mondal

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Tables header RHS
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2Real Madrid18124241182340
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Real BetisBetis186752122-125
10Osasuna186752327-425
11Celta Vigo187382728-124
12Rayo Vallecano185762021-122
13Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
14Sevilla186482027-722
15Leganes184681728-1118
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1843111630-1415
19Valencia172691626-1012
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512


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