Prediction: Athletic Bilbao vs Atletico Madrid

Verdict: Athletic Bilbao draw no bet 

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Unibet

Hoping to move one step closer to securing another top-four finish, Atletico Madrid will make the trip to San Mamés on Saturday night when they meet Athletic Bilbao.

Athletic Bilbao

Starting with the hosts, managing to make an immediate return to winning ways last week, some in Athletic Bilbao’s camp will still have their sights set on making a late charge for the top-seven. Hoping to bring European football back to San Mamés this year, Los Leones were last seen picking up an action-packed 3-2 win away at Cadiz. Opening Saturday’s showdown chasing a four-point deficit, Head Coach Marcelino has seen his side lose just one of their previous five La Liga contests. However, while Bilbao might know that they face a stern test this weekend, they should be boosted by a largely impressive record on home soil. Despite being last seen in Basque Country getting hit with a 2-0 loss at the hands of Celta Vigo, that is the only defeat that the Lions have suffered in front of their own supporters from their last nine appearances, a run that stems back to December 22nd. Despite being tipped as an underdog with the bookmakers here, Marcelino’s side could be smelling a chance.

Team News

Bilbao have already confirmed that the quartet of Alex Petxa, Oihan Sancet, Asier Villalibre and Inigo Lekue will once again miss out this weekend.

Likewise, Saturday’s hosts will also be unable to call upon Mikel Vesga due to suspension.

Atletico Madrid

As for the visitors, last seen putting in another flat display at home against Granada, Atletico Madrid appear to be limping their way over the finish line. Already relinquishing their La Liga crown, Head Coach Diego Simeone does find some growing pressure on his shoulders in the Spanish capital. Having to settle for a 0-0 stalemate on home soil last weekend, Los Colchoneros have now managed to win just one of their last five matchups across all formats. Crashing out of the Champions League thanks to a 1-0 aggregate defeat against English heavyweights Manchester City earlier in the month, Atletico have really shown some extended issues in the final third. Remarkably drawing a blank in four of their last five appearances, it should also be noted that Simeone’s side have suffered back-to-back losses away from the Wanda Metropolitano. Likewise, suffering a 2-1 defeat when they welcomed Bilbao to the capital back on January 13th in the Copa del Rey, Atletico should be in for a tough test on Saturday night.

Team News

In what is a boost for Atletico Madrid this weekend, the duo of Felipe and Geoffrey Kondogbia are avaliable to make their return from suspension here.

However, the likes of Joao Felix, Thomas Lemar, Hector Herrera and Jose Gimenez will once again be missing on Saturday night.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off at the Wanda Metropolitano back on January 13th in the Copa del Rey, Athletic Bilbao picked up a 2-1 victory on the road.
• Likewise, Saturday’s hosts are unbeaten in each of their last three meetings against Atletico across all formats.
• Atletico Madrid have managed to win just one of their last five matchups across all formats.
• The now-former Spanish champions have also drawn a blank in four of their last five contests.
• Bilbao have lost just one of their last nine home fixtures, a run that stems all the way back to December 22nd.

Conclusion

While Athletic Bilbao might open Saturday’s contest as an outside pick, they could be smelling the chance to spring an upset here. Still with their sights firmly set on making a late charge for the European places, this weekend’s hosts are enjoying a largely successful end to the season. Losing just one of their last nine contests on home soil, a run that stems back to the end of December, the Lions will be looking to cash in on an Atletico Madrid side who have shown some real issues. Winning just one of their last five matchups across all formats, they have also drawn a blank in four of those five outings. With Bilbao landing a 2-1 victory in the Spanish capital earlier in the year, a home draw no bet can be found at attractive odds.

Verdict: Athletic Bilbao draw no bet 

Best Odds: 1/1

Bookmaker: Unibet