Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti takes his Real Madrid team to Bilbao on Saturday as they start their campaign to wrestle the La Liga title back from Barcelona.
It couldn’t be a much more difficult opener for Los Blancos who missed out last term and will still be smarting. Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Club finished eighth in the 2022/23 campaign and he has a talented squad to choose from, and the San Mames Stadium will be bouncing again as the Basque region comes alive to the prospect of a new season.
The latest La Liga 2023 betting odds pitch Los Blancos as the favourites to win the title by the slimmest of margins at SBOTOP odds of 2.00, with Xavi’s Barcelona at 2.20 and Atletico Madrid at 6.00.
Bilbao, meanwhile, will be pushing for European places once again, and they will prepare a hostile welcome for the Madrid giants.
Talking Points
Bellingham set to make his La Liga debut
Ancelotti’s side finished a full 10 points behind Barcelona last season, and the expectant fans at the Santiago Bernabeu will hope for, and expect, a swift response.
And their team needs a quick start with a strong set of La Liga 2023 results to keep in touch with the Catalans. Many of Madrid’s hopes rest on the shoulders of young England midfielder Jude Bellingham, who arrived in a big money deal from Borussia Dortmund at the start of the transfer window.
He is a brilliant box-to-box player and, still only 20 years of age, Bellingham has a stellar career ahead of him. He has a mature approach to the game and physicality beyond his years and is sure to become a fans favourite at the Bernabeu.
The former BVB man could be joined by left-back Fran Garcia, who has joined from Rayo Vallecano. But another new recruit, Turkish star Arda Guler is sidelined along with the injured Dani Ceballos and Ferland Mendy.
The loss of striker Karim Benzema, despite his 35 years, is a big loss to Los Blancos. The Ballon d’Or winner scored 238 goals in 439 appearances for Real Madrid, but now he is in Saudi Arabia as an Al-Ittihad player and Ancelotti is on the search for a striker.
The saga of Kylian Mbappe’s future could ultimately see the PSG star arrive in Madrid, but that is by no means certain, and we may see Brahim Diaz lead the line following his return from loan at AC Milan.
Bilbao are fit and ready to go
Nico Williams scored as Bilbao drew 1-1 with Manchester United in their final warm up game at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, and the 21-year-old Spain star is raring for the season to start.
He could be one of the standout players in La Liga this year and, if he continues to progress, there is no reason why Bilbao can’t make a move on the top six.
Captained by talisman Iker Munain, the Basque side is an impressive blend of youth and experience and has some serious quality.
Goalkeeper Unai Simon has replaced David de Gea as Spain’s No. 1, while Nico’s older brother, Inaki Williams, has been a fixture in attack alongside Munain for almost a decade. Attacking midfielder Oihan Sancet has made 104 appearances for the club and he is still only 23.
This is a nicely established side with room to improve and bursting with Basque pride. Manager Valverde has his team oven ready. He said he prepared for the Manchester United game as if it were the first La Liga outing and Bilbao were more than good for their 1-1 draw.
“All the teams are fine-tuning and finalising our preparation for the start of the championship,” he said. “It is good for us to measure ourselves against a rival of that calibre, more than anything because of the start of the League that we have.”
History
Bilbao have won the league eight times (last in 1984) and the Copa del Rey 23 times, and that is some achievement. They have a rich history, and their fans are desperate for a return of silverware arriving at the Saint Mames.
Real Madrid have barely closed their trophy cabinet in recent years. They have accumulated 35 league titles, 20 Copa del Reys, and 14 Champions League wins for good measure.
Los Blancos have had much the better of the head-to-head meetings over the last three decades, winning 41 of the 65 encounters, drawing 11, and losing 13, though the two teams met on the final day of last season as Benzema scored his last goal as a Real Madrid player in a 1-1 draw.
Betting Tip
With Los Blancos at 2.12 to win and Bilbao at 2.90, this mouthwatering opener is wide open, and I think we’re in for a sizzling fixture at Saint Mames on Saturday night.
Barcelona are determined to defend their title and Los Blancos cannot afford to lose much ground in the early stages, but this is a very tough assignment to kick off their campaign.
The Saint Mames fans will be at fever pitch, and if Ancelotti’s side escapes with a point and a strong performance, I think the boss will be satisfied.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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