Real Madrid will bring their 2019 to a close with a home La Liga fixture against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday night.
Los Blancos are level on points with Barcelona at the top of the table heading into this weekend's matches, while Bilbao sit seventh with 27 points to show for their efforts this term.
Match preview
© Reuters
Madrid had the chance to move above Barcelona in the table when they travelled to Camp Nou on Wednesday night, but the first Clasico of the 2019-20 campaign finished in a goalless draw.
Zinedine Zidane will feel that his team did more than enough to deserve a victory, but the stalemate means that the capital giants are likely to finish the year in second spot in the table even if they win on Sunday night.
Indeed, Barcelona will host Alaves on Saturday afternoon, and it would be a surprise if the reigning champions did not triumph. There is a scenario that would see Madrid top the table with the top two both winning, although a swing in goal difference would have to occur for that to be the case.
A record of 10 wins, six draws and one defeat has seen Los Blancos collect 36 points. They have the joint-second best defensive record in the league this term, while their performance at Camp Nou on Wednesday would have given their fans plenty of confidence heading into the winter break.
Madrid are also unbeaten at the Bernabeu in all competitions this season, while they have won six of their last seven league fixtures on home soil, which is an indication of the size of the task facing Bilbao.
© Reuters
Bilbao, meanwhile, were in Copa del Rey action on Thursday, recording a 3-0 win over Tercera Division side Intercity. They have only taken a point from their last two league fixtures, though, losing at Real Betis before being held at home by Eibar last weekend.
The Basque outfit currently sit seventh in La Liga, just three points off the top four. They have only lost four of their 17 league matches and will be looking to challenge for a Champions League spot this term.
Alongside their opponents on Sunday, Bilbao have only conceded 12 times in La Liga this season, suggesting that this match will not be a high-scoring affair, particularly as the Red and Whites have only found the back of the net on 19 occasions in their 17 top-flight games during the 2019-20 campaign.
Incredibly, three of the last four league meetings between these two teams have finished level. Madrid recorded a 3-0 victory at the Bernabeu in April but three straight draws occurred between December 2017 and September 2018.
Bilbao have not triumphed in the league at the Bernabeu since February 2005, however, and it is a big ask for the Basque outfit to overcome Zidane's outfit on Sunday night.
Real Madrid La Liga form: WWWWDD
Real Madrid form (all competitions): DWWWDD
Athletic Bilbao La Liga form: DWWWLD
Athletic Bilbao form (all competitions): WWWLDW
Team News
© Reuters
Madrid will once again be without the services of Marco Asensio, Lucas Vazquez, Eden Hazard and Marcelo through injury, while James Rodriguez remains on the sidelines despite stepping up his recovery from a knee problem by taking part in training this week.
Brazil international Casemiro is suspended after picking up a booking against Barca, meanwhile, meaning that Luka Modric could return alongside Federico Valverde and Toni Kroos in midfield.
There is also likely to be a change in the final third with Rodrygo Goes pushing to replace Gareth Bale, although Isco is expected to keep his spot having impressed against Ernesto Valverde's side.
As for Bilbao, Ander Capa will be unavailable through suspension having picked up a booking against Eibar last weekend, while Yeray Alvarez, Oscar de Marcos, Iker Muniain and Artiz Aduriz are on the treatment table.
The visitors will be far from at full strength heading into this match, and Raul Garcia could again start in the centre-forward position with support from Inaki Williams and Inigo Cordoba in the wide areas.
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Mendy; Valverde, Modric, Kroos; Rodrygo, Benzema, Isco
Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Unai; Lekue, I Martinez, Nunez, Berchiche; D Garcia, San Jose; Williams, U Lopez, Cordoba; R Garcia
We say: Real Madrid 2-0 Athletic Bilbao
The recent meetings between the two teams suggest that this will not be a straightforward match for Madrid. Zidane's team have been playing well in recent weeks, though, and we fancy them to end 2019 with a win.
No Data Analysis info
