LaLiga: Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid preview

Athletic Bilbao are looking for their first league victory since October, but they might not get it this Saturday as mighty Real Madrid come to visit at San Mames Stadium. Last season Real Madrid won both league matches against Bilbao 2-1. In fact, they won all last four league matches against Bilbao. However, the Basque side did beat Real Madrid 1-0 at San Mames in 2015. Athletic Bilbao are having a tough time in LaLiga this season, they had been used to top-six finishes in recent years but this time they are all the way down in 16th place after thirteen matches. They have won just three matches so far and have already suffered two home defeats. However, now they are coming from two consecutive draws. Defender Aymeric Laporte is suspended for this match, Iker Muniain and Oscar de Marcos are injured. Real Madrid got back to winning ways with a 3-2 victory over Malaga last time out, but they are surely struggling this season. They have already lost two league matches and Barcelona are eight points ahead. The Blancos have not won an away match in LaLiga since October. Gareth Bale will be out of contention due to a calf issue, while Marco Asensio might also miss out. Probable line-ups: Bilbao: Arrizabalaga - Boveda, Nunez, Etxeita, Balenziaga - Rico, Iturraspe - Williams, Garcia, Susaeta - Aduriz Real: Navas - Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo - Modric, Casemiro, Kroos - Isco - Benzema, Ronaldo My prediction: Real Madrid to win 2-1. Here are the odds for the match at Bet365: Bilbao win - 7.50 Draw - 4.50 Real win - 1.44