After the somewhat unfortunate defeat to Sevilla, Athletic aim to extend the good home run and move further away from the danger zone by taking at least one point from the Real clash.

Los Blancos moved three points clear in the race for the second place in La Liga as they hammered Levante at home, but team’s poor away form is a cause for concern ahead of the trip to San Mames.

Defeats in Europa League and Copa del Rey finals, as well as uncertainty surrounding Javi Martinez and Fernando Llorente certainly had a negative effect on the squad, with Athletic going through a very difficult season.

The fact is nobody at the club can be satisfied with this year’s results, but at least the team managed to virtually ensure La Liga survival thanks to the good run of results of late.

Los Leones won three of last five league games to create a nine-point advantage over the bottom three, while they were very close to getting something from the Sevilla clash, having conceded in the dying moments of the match.

Athletic players now prepare to face one of Europe’s top sides, and odds of 7.00 (6/1) offered at Sportingbet on home win are enough to suggest the hosts will have a mountain to climb.

Marcelo Bielsa is counting the costs of the Sevilla clash, with Aritz Aduriz, Aymeric Laporte, Carlos Gurpegui and Oscar de Marcos all suspended.

With Andoni Iraola likely to miss out through a hamstring problem, Athletic’s starting line-up is likely to have an unfamiliar look to it.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Iraizoz – Ramalho, Ekiza, Aurtenetxe, Castillo – Herrera, San Jose, Iturraspe – Susaeta, Llorente, Muniain.

What looked like a very disappointing season is quickly turning into a huge success for Real Madrid, although the team need to continue the rich vein of form if they are to make the most of the current campaign.

Los Blancos did suffer a scare in Istanbul as they were two goals down at one moment, although having had a three-goal advantage from the first leg, their semi-final berth never really came into question.

It was more the case of the players becoming complacent after scoring the first goal at Turk Telekom Arena and missing several good chances to increase the lead.

Los Merengues are set to turn towards their league campaign, where they seem to be winning the race for the second place in the standings, although they are obviously hoping to win at San Mames and put extra pressure on their rivals.

With the hosts missing a number of regular starters, it is hardly surprising Real are just 1.53 (8/15) at BetVictor to claim maximum points.

Michael Essien and Kaka are out injured, but Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso should return after missing the Galatasaray clash through suspension.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Fabio Coentrao have resumed full training, but Gonzalo Higuain is unlikely to feature due to injury.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Lopez – Arbeloa, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo – Alonso, Khedira – Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo – Benzema.

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