Real Madrid vs. Athletic Club: Key Issues That Will Shape La Liga Game

An interesting fixture awaits the Bernabeu on Sunday night.

Real Madrid, who have won three league matches in a row after back-to-back defeats, take on Athletic Club, who finished fourth last season.

If you're drawing up a list of clubs capable of going to the Spanish capital and stunning Los Blancos, you'd certainly include Ernesto Valverde's men.

However, things are going too well for them at the moment.

The following slides look at the issues that will shape the Primera clash.

Athletic Club's Form

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Athletic Club are experiencing a dreadful start to the new campaign.

After the intense regime applied by Marcelo Bielsa, Valverde lifted the weight from his player's shoulders last season and led them to a top-four finish.

However, after the highs of qualification to the Champions League group stages—they impressively beat Rafa Benitez's Napoli in August—there has been very little to shout about.

They've picked up just four points in their opening six La Liga matches and one from their first two fixtures in Europe.

Ander Iturraspe, who excelled in midfield for the Basques last term, has not been as impressive of late, and that's a pattern which runs through the squad.

Could a match against Real Madrid be the motivation they need to find their feet again, though?

On their day, in a one-off match, they're capable of beating any one of Spain's big three—they beat Barcelona last season and drew with Madrid—but they're a long way from their best at the moment.

Ronaldo's Fitness

Valentina Petrova/Associated Press

Real Madrid have concerns, once again, over the fitness of Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese forward has been in free-scoring form since the season began, but he is facing the possibility of missing Sunday's match against Athletic Club.

Manu Sanz, writing in AS, says the 29-year-old is expected to find out on Friday whether or not he will be able to play in the clash with the side that ended last season in fourth place.

An Achilles tendon problem, picked up against Ludogorets Razgrad on Wednesday night, is the reason he is a doubt.

Sanz does continue, though, by saying that Ronaldo is hopeful of appearing: "The forward is optimistic and hopes that in the coming hours the wound will heal enough and the inflammation will disappear in time. After the match he was upset by the ugly tackle from Anicet, the Ludogorets midfielder, but was aware that the injury was not too severe."

After losing to Real Sociedad the last time Ronaldo was missing, Carlo Ancelotti will hope he can count on his star No. 7.

Can Bale Step Up?

Alberto Saiz/Associated Press

Everything pointed towards Gareth Bale starting the new campaign in fine form.

In contrast to last season, he had the benefit of a full pre-season, while he was also coming into the new term on the back of starring roles in the Champions League and Copa del Rey finals.

However, despite five goals spread across La Liga and the Champions League, there is a feeling the Welshman hasn't got going yet.

Four of those goals came in games in which Madrid won by four or more goals—the heavy wins against Basel, Deportivo La Coruna and Elche—with his other goal coming in the defeat against Real Sociedad.

"I only have one piece left to the puzzle and that is Bale," Ancelotti said to his coaching staff, according to Jose Felix Diaz of Marca.

Bale will know himself that he is a due a good performance; he needs to be decisive in a game.

And if Ronaldo is missing on Sunday evening, it could be the perfect stage for the former Tottenham man to kick-start his season.

Midfield Battle

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

Toni Kroos only appeared as a substitute in Real Madrid's 2-1 win against Ludogorets in Bulgaria, but he is likely to return to partner Luka Modric in the match against Athletic Club on Sunday.

It's evidently Ancelotti's best midfield partnership, although they have failed to convince in terms of defensive protection yet.

Fortunately for them, though, Athletic's midfielders are struggling to create much of an impression this season.

With Ander Herrera sold to Manchester United, Benat has taken his place at the tip of their midfield.

Therefore, it will be his job to find the space in the final third, but he has struggled to replicate the form which made him so highly sought after at Real Betis two years ago.

Behind Benat, Iturraspe and Fran Rico have also flattered to deceive, and there have been calls from some Athletic fans to install young midfielder Unai Lopez.

Provided the pattern of the season continues, Modric and Kroos should have this one, although it is not always that straight forward.