Prediction: Atletico Madrid to win 2-1
Best Odds: 31/4
Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid will lock horns with each other in La Liga next weekend. The match between Ernesto Valverde’s side and Diego Simeone’s team will be held at Estadio San Mamés and is scheduled to kick off at 6 pm UK time on Saturday.
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao are one of the biggest and most traditional clubs in Spain. While the Basque club do not tend to win or even challenge for the La Liga title, they are among those who compete for the top four and aim to play in the UEFA Champions League on a regular basis.
Zuri-gorriak did quite well last season. Bilbao finished the campaign as high as fifth in the La Liga table. They were in the race for the UEFA Champions League spots until the very end and will be keen on going at it again this season.
Ernesto Valverde’s side kicked off their La Liga campaign with a draw. Athletic played out a 1-1 draw with Getafe at Estadio San Mamés in the league this past weekend. It was a disappointing result, and it came even worse when they faced Barcelona away from home at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys this past weekend. They lost 2-1.
Team News:
Athletic Bilbao are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Atletico Madrid. Álex Padilla will be in goal for the home team and will have Iñigo Lekue, Dani Vivian, Yeray and Yuri Berchiche in front of him in defence. Beñat Prados and Mikel Vesga will be the two holding midfielders. Álex Berenguer, Oihan Sancet and Inaki Williams will be the three attacking midfielders. Nico Williams will lead the line for Bilbao.
Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid are one of the biggest and most successful clubs in Spain. They are a very historic team and tend to challenge for the La Liga title. In fact, under head coach Diego Simeone, Atletic have clinched the championship in recent seasons.
Los Colchoneros did not have a great campaign last season. Atletico finished fourth in the La Liga table and were not in the race for the title for a large chunk of the campaign. They could not make a massive impact in the UEFA Champions League either.
Atletico will be determined to win the La Liga title this season. It is not going to be easy for Diego Simeone’s side because of Barcelona and Real Madrid, but they will certainly give it a go. Atletico have picked up four points from their opening two league games this season.
Team News:
Atletico Madrid are likely to line up in a 5-3-2 formation against Athletic Bilbao. Jan Oblak will be in goal for Atletico. Marcos Llorente, Robin Le Normand, José María Giménez, César Azpilicueta and Rodrigo Riquelme will be the five defenders. Julian Alavez and Antoine Griezmann will be the two forwards and will have Rodrigo De Paul, Pablo Barrios and Samuel Lino behind them in midfield.
Key Factors to Consider
- Against Girona, Atletico Madrid had 42.4% of the possession.
- Against Girona, Atletico Madrid took 11 shots of which 6 were on target.
- Against Girona, Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak had to make four saves.
- Against Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao had 34.6% of the possession.
- Against Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao had 8 shots of which two were on target.
Conclusion
Athletic Bilbao have a good team, but Atletico Madrid are better and should be able to eke out a narrow win from this particular La Liga game.
Prediction: Atletico Madrid to win 2-1
Best Odds: 31/4
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
