Will Atlético fail against the in-form Basques?
Six-point game in the Basque Country! With Atletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid, two of the four currently strongest teams in the Spanish top flight meet on Saturday evening. The match is particularly important for Atlético, because if they are successful, they can not only overtake Bilbao, but also minimise the gap to Real and Barca for the time being.
The “Colchoneros” recently celebrated two wins in a row in La Liga, including an away victory at Sevilla FC. On the other hand, they suffered a bitter setback on the international stage. With the draw against FC Brugge, Simeone & Co. slipped to third place and now have to fear for a place in the round of 16. The chance to get over their frustration will come in Bilbao.
Just like the visitors from Madrid, the Basque team’s form has been on the rise lately. Bilbao won three of their last four matches in the Spanish top flight and climbed to third place. The Basques are brimming with confidence, especially in their own stadium.
After five home games, Bilbao already have ten points to their name. On top of that, Bilbao haven’t lost a home game against Atlético Madrid since September 2017 – will it stay that way?
Athletic Bilbao – Statistics & current form
Athletic Bilbao cannot complain about their start to the season so far in the Spanish top flight. The Basques have already recorded 17 points after eight matchdays in La Liga and are thus – at least statistically – the third strongest team in Spain. The success factors are not only the Basque’s extremely strong offensive.
With only five goals conceded in eight matchdays, Athletic Bilbao also had one of the strongest defences in the league. Only Barcelona and Villarreal have conceded fewer goals than the Basques. That defensive bulwark will now also be challenged on Saturday evening. After all, head coach Valvede’s team will be facing their closest rivals from Madrid.
If they are successful, Bilbao will not only be able to defend their place in the top flight, but also close the gap on Barca and Real. Last week, Valverde’s team drew with Sevilla FC. The Basques thus remained unbeaten for the fourth time in a row.
Will the home record be extended against Atlético?
Good possibility that the winning streak will continue against Atlético Madrid. Home advantage certainly comes in handy on Saturday night. After all, Athletic Bilbao have not lost a competitive match against the “Colchoneros” at the Estadio San Mamés for almost five years. On the other hand, they have won three of their last four home games against Atlético.
If the next win is on the cards, odds of 2.45 are paid out on Athletic Bilbao vs Atletico Madrid for a bet on the Basque hosts. Head coach Valverde will only have to do without Vivian and Berchiche due to injury. There are no other absences for the Basques at the moment.
The best scorer in the Basque ranks, meanwhile, is Nico Williams. The right-winger has not only scored three goals for Bilbao so far, but has also set up three goals for his team-mates
Predicted line-up of Athletic Bilbao:
Simon – Lekue, Martinez, Alvarez, de Marcos – Sancet, Garcia – Berenguer, Muniain, Williams – Williams
Last matches played by Athletic Bilbao:
La Liga
08/10/2022 – Sevilla FC 1 – 1 Athletic Bilbao
01/10/2022 – Athletic Bilbao 4 – 0 Almeria
18/09/2022 – Athletic Bilbao 3 – 2 Rayo Vallecano
11/09/2022 – Elche 1 – 4 Athletic Bilbao
04/09/2022 – Athletic Bilbao 0 – 1 Espanyol
Atletico Madrid – Statistics & current form
Atlético Madrid remain the problem child in the Spanish top flight. The Madrilenians are still difficult to assess and are stumbling not only at home but also on the international stage. With the draw against Bruges, the “Colchoneros” even had to give way from the second starting place for the CL round of 16.
In the league, on the other hand, championship rivals like Barca and Real have already passed them by. Even before the upcoming match in Bilbao, Atlético are separated by six points from the leaders from Catalonia. It is therefore all the more important to make the most of the Clásico weekend and at least close the gap on one of the two title rivals.
In Bilbao, however, they face a real acid test. Last season, Atlético were already unable to overcome the difficult hurdle in the Basque country and went down 0:2 in Bilbao. This time, too, a defeat cannot be ruled out after the energy-sapping competitive match during the week.
Will Atlético lose again away from home?
The recent record on foreign soil, meanwhile, argues against a prediction in favour of the Madrilenians. Atlético have only won one of their last four away games and have not lived up to their high expectations. Betting fans who still want to venture a prediction on Athletic Bilbao vs. Atletico Madrid can pick up betting odds of 3.00.
On Saturday night, head coach Simeone will have to do without three players due to injury. In addition to Felipe, Llorente and Reguilon are on the list of the “Colchoneros”. Compared to the starting eleven that was last in action in the top flight, changes cannot be ruled out for the red and whites.
Predicted line-up of Atletico Madrid:
Oblak – Savic, Gimenez, Mandava – Niguez, Koke, Kondogbia, Lemar, Molina – Griezmann, Correa
Last matches played by Atletico Madrid:
Champions League Grp. B
12/10/2022 – Atletico Madrid 0 – 0 Club Bruges
La Liga
08/10/2022 – Atletico Madrid 2 – 1 Girona
Champions League Grp. B
05/10/2022 – Club Brugge 2 – 0 Atletico Madrid
La Liga
01/10/2022 – Sevilla FC 0 – 2 Atletico Madrid
19/09/2022 – Atletico Madrid 1 – 2 Real Madrid
Athletic Bilbao – Atletico Madrid Direct comparison / H2H record
These two teams are meeting for the 186th time overall. Atlético Madrid currently lead the direct comparison with a record of 85-32-68. However, Atlético have gone winless against the Basques in their last four competitive matches. Bilbao actually won two of the four duels this season, including one in the Spanish Super Cup.
In addition, Bilbao have a record of 3-1-0 in their last four home games against Atlético Madrid. The Basques will therefore not hide in Saturday’s match and definitely have the potential to win.
Athletic Bilbao – Atletico Madrid Tip
Atlético, as it lives and breathes. During the week, head coach Simeone’s charges suffered their next setback of the season and lost their place in the last 16 of the top flight. This is the fourth time this season that the Argentine has conceded a must-win game.
The next setback may now be looming in the league. Not only because Saturday’s opponents Bilbao are in excellent form, but also because Atlético have not won at their upcoming opponents from the Basque country for five years.
We therefore see value in the quotes on a home win and are leaning towards a home win for the Basques.
