The 2022/23 ends this weekend, with Real Madrid hosting Athletic Bilbao.
After missing out on the title to their fierce rivals Barcelona, Real Madrid are now only playing to finish ahead of Atlético Madrid, with both teams competing for second position.
After coming back from a one-nil deficit to win their last game against Sevilla 2-1, they need to win here to finish directly behind Barca. However, they could also finish second even if they lose this game if their city rivals Atlético drop points against Villarreal to secure second place following their 2-1 comeback win over Sevilla last Saturday.
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However, under pressure, manager Carlo Ancelotti will want his side to win and make it five wins in five league games at home.
Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao will be desperate to end a run of 15 games without a win against Real Madrid in all competitions (D4, L11). Also, the last time Ernesto Valverde’s side triumphed against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu in Spain’s top flight was ten years (D2, L15 since).
So getting three points here is a tall order for the Basque side, who are also winless in their last three away league games (D1, L2).
But given that they are still fighting for a place in Europe next season, they will come into this game desperate to win. The visitors can finish in the top seven and qualify for the Conference League if they can better Osasuna’s result and at least match Girona’s result, with those two sides coincidentally facing each other this weekend.
Meanwhile, Athletic have lost each of their last six La Liga final-day fixtures – and the last five of them ‘to nil’.
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