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Played
May 2, 2012 4:00 PM EDT
Estadio San Mamés — Bilbao
Referee:‬ José Teixeira‎
Attendance:‬ 39500‎
 
 
 
Mesut Özil 20′
 

La Liga Preview: Athletic Bilbao - Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho's side can clinch the Primera Division crown with victory in the hostile surroundings of San Mames, regardless of Barcelona's result against Malaga.

By Karthick Arvinth

 UEFA Champions League Semi Final, Cristiano Ronaldo; Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid CF v Bayern Muenchen
Getty Images
  PROBABLE LINEUPS

ATHLETIC BILBAO


Iraizoz
Iraola, Martinez, Amorebieta, Aurtenetxe
Perez, De Marcos
Susaeta, Muniain, Ibai
Llorente
REAL MADRID


Casillas
Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrao
Khedira, Alonso
Callejon, Ozil, Ronaldo
Benzema

Athletic Bilbao boss Marcelo Bielsa is set to field his strongest possible XI for Wednesday's visit of Real Madrid, with Javi Martinez, Iker Muniain, Markel Susaeta and Fernando Llorente all returning to the starting line-up.

Midfielders Ander Iturraspe and Ander Herrera are ruled out through suspension, but left back Jon Aurtenetxe is available after serving a one-match ban.

Real Madrid has reported no new injury concerns and have a fully fit squad for the trip to the Basque Country. Winger Angel Di Maria serves a ban for accumulating five yellow cards, so Jose Callejon may get a rare start.

Fabio Coentrao could replace Marcelo at left back. In midfield, Sami Khedira should return in place of Esteban Granero.

  DID YOU KNOW?
  • Athletic Bilbao has won six of its last nine home matches in La Liga.
  • The Basques have lost nine of their last 10 encounters with Real Madrid.
  • Bilbao faces Los Blancos' city-rival Atletico Madrid in the Europa League final on May 9 in Bucharest.
  • Real Madrid is unbeaten in its last 20 league matches (W17, D3).
  • Los Blancos have scored in all but one of their last 48 games - a goalless draw against Valencia on April 8.
  • Should Madrid win, Jose Mourinho (pictured right) will become the first coach in history to have won the domestic championship in four major European leagues (Portugal, England, Italy and Spain).


Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
Head to Head
La Liga ‎(LIGA)‎ Apr 14, 2013 Athletic Bilbao 0 - Real Madrid 3
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La Liga ‎(LIGA)‎ Nov 17, 2012 Real Madrid 5 - Athletic Bilbao 1
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La Liga ‎(LIGA)‎ May 2, 2012 Athletic Bilbao 0 - Real Madrid 3
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La Liga ‎(LIGA)‎ Jan 22, 2012 Real Madrid 4 - Athletic Bilbao 1
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La Liga ‎(LIGA)‎ Apr 9, 2011 Athletic Bilbao 0 - Real Madrid 3
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Last Five Matches
Odds
Team News
Available Squads
1IraizozGoalkeeper
3Jon Aurtenetxe BordeDefender
6Mikel San José DomínguezDefender
23Borja EkizaDefender
14SusaetaMidfielder
17Íñigo PérezMidfielder
20Javi MartínezMidfielder
10Óscar De MarcosMidfielder
28Ibai GómezStriker
19MuniainStriker
2ToqueroStriker
9Fernando Llorente TorresStriker
13Raúl Fernández MateosGoalkeeper
15Andoni IraolaDefender
31Jonas Ramalho ChimenoDefender
25KoikiliDefender
-David LópezMidfielder
11Igor GabilondoMidfielder
32GalarretaMidfielder
1Iker CasillasGoalkeeper
3PepeDefender
4Sergio RamosDefender
15Fabio CoentraoDefender
17ArbeloaDefender
6Sami KhediraMidfielder
10Mesut ÖzilMidfielder
14Xabi AlonsoMidfielder
21CallejónStriker
7Cristiano RonaldoStriker
20Gonzalo HiguaínStriker
13AdánGoalkeeper
12MarceloDefender
18Raúl Albiol TortajadaDefender
19Raphaël VaraneDefender
8KakáMidfielder
14Esteban GraneroMidfielder
9Karim BenzemaStriker
Probable Lineups
Iraizoz 1
Jon Aurtenetxe Borde 3
Mikel  San José Domínguez 6
Borja Ekiza 23
Susaeta 14
Íñigo Pérez 17
Javi Martínez 20
Óscar De Marcos 10
Ibai Gómez 28
Muniain 19
Toquero 2
Fernando Llorente Torres 9
Iker Casillas 1
Pepe 3
Sergio Ramos 4
Fabio Coentrao 15
Arbeloa 17
Sami Khedira 6
Mesut Özil 10
Xabi Alonso 14
Callejón 21
Cristiano Ronaldo 7
Gonzalo Higuaín 20
Results
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Lionel Messi Lionel Messi
Striker
Barcelona
46 4
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker
Real Madrid
34 6
Radamel Falcao Radamel Falcao
Striker
Atlético de Madrid
28 8
Roberto Soldado Roberto Soldado
Striker
Valencia
21 5
Negredo Negredo
Striker
Sevilla
20 3