Athletic Club vs Real Madrid

Real Madrid begin their quest to reclaim the La Liga title with a new-look side when they visit Athletic Club in Bilbao on Saturday night.

Without Karim Benzema up front but with Jude Bellingham slotting into midfield, hopes are high at the Bernabeu for Los Blancos to enjoy a better season in both Spain’s top flight and the Champions League, which they were eliminated from by Manchester City in the semi finals last time out.

Athletic finished eighth in 2022/23, again failing to qualify for Europe having last done so in 2016/17 when they came seventh.

Here’s what you need to know ahead of Madrid’s curtain-raiser.

Athletic Club vs Real Madrid H2H Record (Last Five Games)

Athletic’s only summer signing so far was Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, who returns to San Mames having spent time there during his formative years.

Williams brothers Inaki and Nico are both expected to feature. The former has been recovering from a knee injury during the summer, while the latter has attracted transfer interest after netting six goals in La Liga last season.

READ THE LATEST REAL MADRID NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP

Thibaut Courtois has sustained an ACL injury during training. The Belgian will now be sidelined for months, leaving understudy Andriy Lunin to step in.

Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti gave Bellingham the role just behind two central forwards during pre-season and that tactic may continue on Saturday, with Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo likely to start.

Aurelien Tchouameni is expected to fill the deep midfield role flanked by Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga, meaning veterans Luka Modric and Toni Kroos may only feature from the bench.

Arda Guler flew home from the pre-season tour with a meniscus problem and won’t be available, while Ferland Mendy is expected to return at the end of the month.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Athletic Club (4-3-1-2): Lunin; Carvajal, Rudiger, Militao, Alaba; Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Bellingham; Vinicius, Rodrygo.

It’s another new dawn for Madrid as they embark on their first season without Karim Benzema since 2008/09. Much more goalscoring responsibility lies for Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo up front, with Joselu the only attacking addition brought in.

They head into this clash as favourites but with an element of the unknown about Los Blancos heading into the new season, Athletic Club may fancy their chances of earning a draw.

However, Madrid will be looking to lay down a marker for the season and a win at San Mames on the opening weekend would be a good way to start.

Prediction: Athletic Club 1-2 Real Madrid