Athletic Club vs Real Madrid Prediction: Oihan Sancet to score anytime

Things are getting interesting in La Liga as Barcelona's red-hot start to the campaign has cooled off dramatically in recent games. This has left the door open for Los Blancos to close the gap.

Both sides are in action this midweek and on Wednesday, it is Real's turn to take to the pitch. This one is live on Premier Sports 1 from 20:00 and our Spanish Football expert Mark Sochon previews the encounter and has his all important Athletic Club vs Real Madrid Predictions...

*You can check out all of the Football Odds we offer over at betfred.com

Things are heating up at the top of La Liga, with Real Madrid slashing Barcelona's early advantage over the past few weeks. Carlo Ancelotti's side face a really tough test on Wednesday night though, as they head to the Basque Country for a date with Athletic Club.  

Aside from games against Barça and Atlético, there are no more challenging fixtures for Los Blancos in La Liga right now than this one.   

The sides met on the opening weekend of last season, which seems an eternity ago now, and it was surprisingly comfortable for Real Madrid who won 2-0 with Jude Bellingham scoring and shining on his debut.  

Since then, the side from the Spanish capital have added another European Cup and league title to their collection, but Athletic have also gone from strength to strength, particularly at fortress San Mamés.  

They wouldn't lose another home game in the 2023/24 season after that early setback, and it's just one defeat in 32 competitive games for Athletic in Bilbao overall. The crowd have responded to a team that is once again flourishing under Ernesto Valverde in what is his third spell at the club, and it's a really difficult environment for opposing teams to play in. 

The visit of Real Madrid is sure to raise the decibel levels even further for a fixture that always generates passion on the terraces of San Mamés, although in truth the Athletic players haven't always responded, losing each of the last five league meetings in Bilbao.  

There's real optimism that this time might be different however. Athletic take good form into the match and are unbeaten in nine in all competitions, having won on five of their last six outings at San Mamés.  

After a slightly slow start to the campaign, Spain's Euro 2024-star Nico Williams has found some form with assists in each of his last three games. He has at times been outshone by brother Iñaki though, while Athletic's main goal threat right now is coming from midfielder Oihan Sancet who came off the bench to score both goals in a 2-1 comeback win at Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.  

Real Madrid were also in action on Sunday, beating Getafe 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu. That game saw Bellingham convert from the spot in the First Half, having assumed penalty duties in the absence of Vinícius Júnior and three days on from Kylian Mbappé's miss at Anfield. 

There was also a morale boosting goal for the Frenchman, with Bellingham turning provider to release the striker who finished well to register his eighth goal of the season in La Liga. 

With that win coming on the back of comfortable victories to nil over Osasuna and Leganés, Real Madrid have not been seriously tested in the league since their heavy defeat in El Clásico at the end of October. Barcelona's unexpected implosion since then has handed the initiative back to Ancelotti's side in the title race, but the defending champions have an incredibly tough fortnight ahead of them. 

This match starts a run of four consecutive away games in the space of 11 days for Real Madrid. They also visit Girona and Rayo Vallecano in La Liga, either side of an important Champions League trip to Atalanta. 

Ancelotti has needed to call upon youngster Raúl Asencio to fill a big hole in central defence in recent weeks, and while the 21-year-old has done well, it still feels as though Real are really light defensively right now, which is far from ideal heading into such an intense period. 

Team News: 

Athletic are also in Europe, so they've been just as busy as Real Madrid, but they're in much better shape on the selection front, with experienced midfielder Ander Herrera their only expected injury absentee. 

Valverde has adopted a rotation policy that seems to be working. He's sure to recall top scorer Sancet to the starting lineup here, while Dani Vivian and Óscar de Marcos should also return in defence after weekend rests. Spain number one Unai Simón is also fit again and could potentially return in goal, although Julen Agirrezabala is doing well. 

As for Real Madrid, they are missing Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, David Alaba, Eduardo Camavinga and Vinícius again due to injuries. 

There's better news regarding Aurélien Tchouaméni who could return at the base of the midfield, or potentially in central defence. Ferland Mendy and Luka Modrić are also likely to come into the side, having only made the bench on Sunday. 

Athletic Club vs Real Madrid Odds

Real Madrid make the trip north as the 13/10 favourites to win this game and continue their strong recent record on this ground in the league, although they were beaten here in 2022 in the Copa del Rey. You can back Athletic to win the game at 21/10, while the Draw is priced at 12/5. 

When you convert these prices into implied odds, it shows that the traders think Real have a 44% chance of winning the match. The home win is rated as a 32% probability, with the Draw the lowest expected outcome ranked as a 29% possibility.

If you're expecting goals, Both teams to score is on offer at 8/13. There have been two or fewer goals in six of the last seven league meetings though and you can back Both teams to score - No at 6/5 here. 

Given their outstanding home record, odds of 1/1 for Athletic to win either half may appeal. You can back the home team to score in both halves at 3/1, while Athletic are priced at 6/5 in the Draw No Bet market. 

The visitors could do with their big names putting in big performances here. Bellingham has rediscovered his goal touch in recent weeks and may operate in a slightly more advanced role again given the absence of Vinícius. The Englishman looks pretty good at 9/1 to score first and 16/5 to score anytime, particularly if he's on penalty duty again. 

You can also back Mbappé to score anytime at 7/5. Athletic's Nico Williams is 16/5 to score anytime, while he can be backed at 7/2 to register an assist for the fourth match in a row. 

Bet 1 - Athletic Club or Draw & Under 3.5 goals @ 5/4 

While they've not been seriously tested in recent league games, Real Madrid do not have a great record in the big games this season. They've lost four of their last 10 in all competitions with Lille, Barcelona, AC Milan and Liverpool all getting the better of them. 

This game is potentially every bit as difficult. Athletic are a real force at home, playing with an intensity that many visiting teams struggle to cope with. They have quality in attack, but are really strong defensively too, conceding just six goals in 11 competitive outings at San Mamés this term. 

Given that, I'm using the Bet Builder to back Athletic Club or Draw and Under 3.5 goals at 5/4. 

Bet 2 - Oihan Sancet to score anytime @ 3/1 

Despite only starting on the bench, Oihan Sancet was Athletic's match winner again at the weekend, having also scored the only goal in the Basque derby against Real Sociedad seven days previously. 

Operating as an attacking midfielder, he has licence to roam forwards and get into the penalty area, and much like Bellingham on the opposing team, he also has the physical prowess and height to score goals with his head or on the ground. 

The 24-year-old is in the form of his life right now, with eight goals in 15 appearances this term for the Basque giants. He looks sure to rotate back into the eleven for this game and I can see him causing problems for an under-strength Real Madrid defence, so I'm backing Sancet to score anytime at 3/1. 

Mark Sochon primarily covers Spanish Football for us at Betfred Insights. You can check out Mark's La Liga Betting Tips along with those from the rest of the Betfred Insights Spanish Football writers on our La Liga home page...