Match Preview: Real Madrid vs Athletic Club - prediction, team news, live stream

Real Madrid's Bernabéu Bounce Back Against Struggling Athletic Club

Real Madrid, already confirmed as runners-up, welcome a faltering Athletic Club side to the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu this Saturday, a fixture many will be looking for a Real Madrid vs Athletic Club live stream to catch the action. Carlo Ancelotti's men are eager to restore dominance after their recent Clásico defeat, while Athletic desperately seek a confidence-boosting result to arrest a significant slide down the table. The visitors arrive in Madrid having won just one of their last five league outings, making this a true test of their resolve against a squad with immense depth, even with key absences.

Match Details

• Competition: La Liga (Spain)
• Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid
• Kick-off: Saturday, 23 May 2026 • 20:00 UK Time
• Referee: None

Current Form

Real Madrid approaches this fixture in generally strong domestic form, despite the recent 0-2 loss to league leaders Barcelona. That defeat aside, Ancelotti's side has secured three wins in their last five La Liga matches, including a 1-0 victory over Sevilla and a 2-0 triumph against Oviedo. Their defensive solidity at the Bernabéu has been notable, with three clean sheets in this run. Although the title race is over, securing the runner-up spot with authority remains the objective, and recent performances suggest a team capable of controlling games and limiting opposition chances, even if not always prolific in attack.

Athletic Club, in stark contrast, arrives in Madrid in deeply concerning form. Their last five La Liga outings have yielded just one win, a 4-2 home victory against Alaves. Beyond that, they have suffered three defeats and secured a single draw against Celta Vigo (1-1). The worrying trend is their struggle for goals, failing to score in losses to Espanyol (0-2) and Valencia (0-1). Defensively, they have shipped two or more goals in three of these last five matches, including a 2-3 loss to Atletico Madrid, indicating a significant lack of compactness and defensive resilience.

Team News

Real Madrid's squad depth will be tested significantly for this encounter. Key defenders Éder Militão and F. Mendy are both confirmed absences due to muscle injuries, which will force a reshuffle at the back. Upfront, Rodrygo is sidelined with a knee injury, while Vinicius Júnior is questionable due