Mansion Sports – LaLiga 2025/2026 once again brings forward a series of high-profile fixtures, and one of the matches drawing significant attention is the encounter between Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid on matchday 19.

This clash is scheduled to take place at San Mamés on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, at 19:00 local time.

Real Madrid arrive with a strong determination to secure their first league victory in more than a month. Los Blancos currently sit second in the LaLiga standings, trailing Barcelona by a single point.

Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao occupy eighth place and are seeking improvement as they remain 11 points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid.

Before the match begins, here is the Mansion Sports projection for the Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid December 2025 lineups.

Team Conditions Ahead of the Match

Athletic Bilbao

Athletic Bilbao have recorded six wins, two draws, and six defeats from their first 14 LaLiga matches this season.

Their 20-point tally places them eighth in the table, four points behind Espanyol in sixth and 11 points off Atletico Madrid in fourth, all with the same number of matches played.

Ernesto Valverde’s squad head into this match with added confidence following a 2–0 victory over Levante, secured through goals from Robert Navarro and Nico Williams.

However, consistency remains an issue. A series of injuries since the start of the season has hindered their ability to maintain stable performances, particularly in the race for a top-four position.

Across their seven home matches in LaLiga this season, Athletic have collected 13 points. They now prepare to face a Madrid side that currently holds the best away record in the league, with 15 points from eight matches on the road.

Past meetings add an intriguing layer to the fixture. Athletic Bilbao claimed a 2–1 victory over Real Madrid at San Mamés during the 2024/2025 season, but Los Blancos responded with a 1–0 win when the teams met again in April this year.

Real Madrid

Real Madrid travel to San Mamés following a 1–1 draw against Girona. The result extended their winless league run to three matches, including previous draws against Rayo Vallecano and Elche.

Their most recent LaLiga victory came on 1 November, a commanding 4–0 triumph over Valencia.

Since that match, their form has dipped, producing only one win across five games in all competitions.

Real Madrid currently sit behind Barcelona in the standings. Should Barcelona defeat Atletico Madrid the night before this match, the gap could widen to four points before Los Blancos take the field.

Despite the challenging situation, Real Madrid continue to rely on the prolific Kylian Mbappe, who leads the LaLiga scoring chart with 14 goals in 14 matches. His influence is expected to remain central in this contest.

Additionally, Madrid face a demanding schedule with five more fixtures before the winter break, including a major Champions League league-phase meeting against Manchester City on 10 December.

Predicted Lineups Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid December 2025

Athletic Bilbao (4-2-3-1)

The return of Ruiz de Galarreta from suspension is a valuable boost for Athletic Bilbao, although Oihan Sancet remains unavailable.

Injuries continue to affect the squad, with Benat Prados, Unai Egiluz, Maroan Sannadi, and Robert Navarro sidelined.

Inaki Williams, who has missed the last seven matches, is still doubtful. Navarro’s absence opens a possible starting role for Unai Gomez, while young talent Selton Sanchez is also a strong candidate for inclusion. Aymeric Laporte is expected to return after missing the previous match through illness.

Athletic Bilbao Lineup Table

Real Madrid (4-3-1-2)

For Real Madrid, Dani Carvajal remains out with a knee injury. Dean Huijsen, David Alaba, and Raul Asencio still require further medical evaluation before a final decision is made on their availability.

On a positive note, Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger both returned in the match against Girona and are likely to partner again in central defence. Alvaro Carreras is expected to feature at left-back.

Eduardo Camavinga is predicted to replace Arda Guler in midfield, while Jude Bellingham will operate as the attacking midfielder behind the forward duo of Vinicius Junior and Mbappe.

Real Madrid Lineup Table

This comprehensive overview outlines the projected lineups for Athletic Bilbao vs Real Madrid December 2025, along with the latest conditions from both teams as they prepare for an important showdown at San Mamés.