Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao: History and Match Predictions

The El Viejo Clásico, a legendary showdown between the iconic football giants Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao, returns on April 20, 2025. These two storied teams, known for their rich legacy and unforgettable performances, are set to bring fresh strategies and unmatched skills to the pitch as they aim to carve out new moments of glory. The renowned Santiago Bernabéu Stadium hosts this electrifying clash, with everything ready for the showdown. Get ready for another chapter in football history. Discover all the essential information about the match, including its schedule, date, kick-off time, odds, and predictions, exclusively on our site. Keep yourself informed with all the breaking updates and insights of top football leagues across the globe, exclusively on our platform. Real Madrid and Athletic Club, holding prestigious spots in the La Liga standings, have consistently proven themselves fierce rivals. This rivalry promises to make their upcoming clash even more thrilling and action-packed. The stakes couldn’t be higher, with both teams striving to assert dominance as the stronger contender among the elites. So, grab your seat and get ready to witness an electrifying showdown between these two contemporary football giants!

Real Madrid currently holds the second spot in the 2024-25 La Liga standings with 66 points, trailing leaders Barcelona by just four points. Meanwhile, the Athletic Club entered this showdown ranked fourth, accumulating 57 points so far. Are you curious about how your favorite teams are performing? Look at the 2024-25 La Liga Standings to see how the season is shaping up! This setup highlights the competitive nature of both teams, with Real Madrid and Athletic Club evenly matched in their quest for victory. As we anticipate this exciting clash, the question remains: will these factors influence the outcome, or will the game keep fans guessing until the very last moment? Now, let’s look into the history of this rivalry, along with detailed stats, odds, and predictions!

Memorable Highlights from the Real Madrid vs. Athletic Bilbao Rivalry

Real Madrid and the Athletic Club often face each other, showcasing dominant performances. The two teams have officially met 247 times in football history. Of these encounters, Real Madrid has emerged victorious in 124 matches, while Athletic Bilbao has claimed 79 victories. The remaining 45 games ended in draws.

The first rivalry between Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao occurred on April 8, 1903, during the inaugural Copa del Rey final. In that historic clash, Athletic Bilbao triumphed over Real Madrid (then known as Madrid FC) with a narrow 3–2 victory. This match marked the beginning of El Viejo Clásico, famously referred to as “The Old Classic.” The iconic encounter remains a key moment in the history and evolution of Spanish football.

The most remarkable and significant victory in the prior clash between Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao occurred on June 19, 1960. Real Madrid achieved their biggest triumph against Athletic Bilbao in that match with a phenomenal 8–1 scoreline. Legendary forward Ferenc Puskás shone brightly, scoring an extraordinary four goals, while teammates Alfredo Di Stéfano and Luis del Sol played significant roles in the victory. This historic encounter remains one of the most dominant and lopsided results in their enduring rivalry.

Similarly, Athletic Club also recorded a significant victory over Real Madrid in the history of El Viejo Clásico. This historic moment occurred in February 1931, when Athletic Bilbao triumphed over Real Madrid with a remarkable 6–0 scoreline. Athletic Bilbao demonstrated their offensive brilliance and defensive strength during this encounter against one of their greatest rivals.

Both teams have shared numerous unforgettable moments in football history, which their fans have celebrated with great enthusiasm. The upcoming El Viejo Clásico on April 20, 2025, promises to be another grand occasion for fans to rejoice. Let’s gear up and prepare to witness the electrifying moments that await us, ready to thrill and captivate us this weekend!

Real Madrid vs. Athletic Bilbao – Event Details

Fixture: El Viejo Clásico

Date: April 20, 2025 (Sunday)

Time: 3:00 PM EST | 12:00 PM PST | 12:30 AM IST (April 21, 2025)

Venue: Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid, Spain.

Where to Watch Real Madrid vs. Athletic Bilbao Matchup?

Fans in the United States can watch the Real Madrid vs. Athletic Bilbao matchup live on ESPN Deportes and ESPN+, ensuring they don’t miss any moments from start to finish.

In European countries, beIN Sports 1 HD FR and TV4 Fotboll HD will broadcast the game, allowing European viewers to enjoy the upcoming El Viejo Clásico.

 Additionally, Fubo TV holds the broadcasting rights for this exciting clash, offering fans another way to catch the action.

With the match streaming across multiple platforms, football enthusiasts from all corners of the globe can join in and experience this thrilling rivalry!

A Glimpse into the Upcoming Face-Off

Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao are set to clash in the eagerly awaited El Viejo Clásico, promising an electrifying matchup. This thrilling battle is sure to deliver an adrenaline-filled ride and make the weekend unforgettable with its intense drama and excitement. Both teams hold thrilling positions in the La Liga standings, setting the stage for an even more intense showdown. Let’s dive deeper into their previous encounters, detailed analysis, and the expected lineups for this highly anticipated clash.

Last Meeting:

The last meeting between Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao took place on **December 4, 2024, at the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao. In that game, Athletic Bilbao secured a hard-fought victory over Real Madrid with a 2–1 scoreline. Alex Berenguer and Gorka Guruzeta played pivotal roles, driving Athletic Bilbao to their win. Notably, this triumph marked a home victory for Athletic Bilbao. Looking ahead to the clash on April 20, 2025, Real Madrid will hold the home-field advantage, and it will be interesting to see how this advantage influences the outcome.

Predicted Lineups for upcoming matchup:

Real Madrid: Thibaut Courtois, Federico Valverde, Antonio Rüdiger, Raúl Asencio, Fran García, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Brahim Díaz, Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior, Rodrygo. 

Athletic Bilbao: Unai Simón, Ander Capa, Dani Vivian, Yeray Álvarez, Iñigo Lekue, Mikel Vesga, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams, Álex Berenguer, Gorka Guruzeta, Iñaki Williams.

Predictions:

The recent form of Real Madrid appears decent, as they are currently on an eight-game unbeaten streak across all competitions. Notably, Athletic Club has progressed to the final four of the UEFA Europa League, defeating Rangers in the quarter-finals with an impressive 2-0 score to secure their spot in the next round. This success will likely boost their determination to continue their strong performance in the upcoming battle. Additionally, Athletic Bilbao’s defense has been exceptional, achieving clean sheets in five of their last six games. With key players like Oihan Sancet and Nico Williams, who have consistently delivered goals for the team, Athletic Club is in strong form and well-prepared to put on an outstanding display against Real Madrid. They aim to provide an exciting performance in the upcoming El Viejo Clásico.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, heads into this battle in somewhat unsteady form, but experts suggest that the team is likely to turn things around, leveraging their home-field advantage. The Madrid side has managed only one win in their last five matches across all competitions. Moreover, their recent defeat in the UEFA Champions League has further fueled their determination to bounce back. Real Madrid suffered a crushing loss to Arsenal in the Champions League, leading to their elimination. Despite these setbacks, Real Madrid remains favored to win this matchup, thanks to their strong home record and the pressing need to recover from recent disappointments. This clash with Athletic Bilbao promises to be an electrifying encounter until the final whistle, likely resulting in a narrow 2-1 victory for Real Madrid.