Athletic Bilbao will once again be missing a host of players as they prepare to welcome the champions Real Madrid on Sunday night for their penultimate La Liga match of the 2020-21 campaign.

The Basque outfit, who are currently ninth in the table, will again be missing Peru Nolaskoain, Ander Capa, Iker Muniain, Oier Zarraga and Yuri Berchiche this weekend, while Inigo Lekue and Yeray Alvarez are also set to miss out.

Head coach Marcelino is still expected to make changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Huesca, though, with Inaki Williams and Raul Garcia likely to return in the final third of the field.

Asier Villalibre and Oihan Sancet could drop down to the bench for the home side, while the midfield could be freshened, with Dani Garcia and Unai Vencedor set to come into the team.

Alex Berenguer is also in line for a spot in the starting XI, but the amount of injuries in a defensive area mean that Marcelino is unlikely to make alterations to his back four for this match.

The fact that Athletic can still make a number of changes is an indication of the strength of their squad, but it will still be a tough ask this weekend against a Real Madrid side fighting for the title.

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup: Simon; De Marcos, Nunez, Martinez, Balenziaga; Berenguer, D Garcia, Vencedor, Morcillo; I Williams, R Garcia

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