Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao: Team News, Preview, Probable Line-Ups

La Liga’s second ranked offense in Real Madrid host Athletica Bilbao Saturday at the Bernabeu.

Los Blancos have also given up just eight goals in La Liga play this year, and come off a solid 2-1 victory over Levante, that left Cristiano Ronaldo dazed. Newcomer Alvaro Morata broke up a 1-1 tie by scoring on a header in the 84th in front of the net from a Xabi Alonso cross.

After a vicious elbow to his left eye last week against Levante, Ronaldo is expected to play, and so is Mesut Ozil, who also took a dizzying hit. Saturday will also mark the return of Sami Khedira and Karim Benzema.

Bilbao only needed two first-half goals to put away Sevilla 2-1 last week for their second straight Primera win. Still their defense has given up the third most goals in La Liga this season

Despite the injuries to their back line, Madrid's defense should only improve with Alvaro Arbeloa and Fabio Coentrao also returning.

Probable Lineups

Real Madrid

Casillas

Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrao

Khedira, Alonso

Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo

Benzema

Athletic Bilbao

Iraizoz

Iraola, San Jose, Amorebieta, Aurtenetxe

Gurpegui, Iturraspe