How Real Madrid could line up against Athletic Bilbao

Real Madrid will attempt to return to winning ways in La Liga when they welcome an in-form Athletic Bilbao to the Bernabeu on Sunday afternoon.

Madrid were held by Leganes on Monday night, but are only four points off second-placed Atletico Madrid.

Results have been quite good since Zinedine Zidane returned as head coach, winning three of their five league matches. Los Blancos lost at Valencia on April 3, however, and were also unable to overcome Leganes.

Team selection under Zidane has been fascinating thus far and with that in mind, Sports Mole has taken a look at how the European champions could line up against Bilbao.

Out: Vinicius Junior (knee), Sergio Ramos (hamstring), Toni Kroos (illness), Mariano Diaz (adductor) Doubtful: Thibaut Courtois (knock)

Madrid are still without the services of Vinicius Junior and Sergio Ramos through injury, but Thibaut Courtois has trained this week and is in line for his first appearance since Zidane returned to the club.

Toni Kroos is still recovering from illness, though, and it seems unlikely that the Germany international will be involved against top-six hopefuls Bilbao.

Dani Ceballos could feature in central midfield, while Zidane has decisions to make further forward. Karim Benzema is a certain starter, but the other two positions are open for discussion.

Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez could get the nod, but Gareth Bale will also be hoping to start having only played the final 13 minutes against Leganes last time out.

Either way, it seems likely that Bale will be moved on this summer, with Zidane reportedly 'not counting' on the Wales international for the 2019-2020 campaign.

Mariano Diaz, meanwhile, is unavailable for Sunday's clash due to an adductor injury.