Will Bilbao’s negative streak continue?
Atletico Madrid take on Athletic Bilbao in a top-of-the-table clash in La Liga. The home side are still unbeaten after four matchdays and have started the new season as defending champions. This week, the Colchoneros also played their opening match in the Champions League. In the match against Porto, however, they only recorded a goalless draw at home.
The visitors are also without a defeat in league play. The Basques arrive with the best defence in the Spanish top flight so far. Three of the four completed league games ended with a clean sheet for the Lions! For the match at the Wanda Metropolitano between Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao, the betting nevertheless includes a home win.
Spain Atletico Madrid – Statistics & current form
The team of coach Diego Simeone won the title in the Beletage of Spanish football last season for the first time since 2014 and only the second time in this millennium. A guarantor for the success was the best defence with an average of only 0.66 goals conceded per game.
Now, of course, the capital club is looking for the next strike and the start already gives hope for the hosts: three wins and an unfortunate draw through an own goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time in the clash with Villarreal represent a satisfactory result for Atletico.
Cunha and Griezmann to relieve Suarez
The squad has also been significantly strengthened compared to last season. In addition to the current top striker Luiz Suarez, the Brazilian Matheus Cunha from Hertha BSC in the Bundesliga and Antoine Griezmann from FC Barcelona were loaned out as additional forces for the attack.
The latter striker failed to score in his only appearance so far on the last matchday against Espanyol Barcelona, but his form is nevertheless good.
His performances in the Equipe Tricolore jersey during the recent international break, when he scored a brace in France’s 2-0 win over Finland, and before that Griezmann’s goal in the 1-1 draw with Bosnia at least prevented the world champions from being embarrassed.
Angel Correa is also currently efficient in front of the opposition’s goal. The Argentine scored three goals in his four league appearances and, like Griezmann, celebrated a goal in the circle of his Albiceleste in the World Cup qualifier against Venezuela.
Will the home side at least score twice?
In view of the convincing offensive performance of Atletico Madrid against Athletic Bilbao, the odds on the home side scoring at least two goals are also sufficiently valuable.
Although, as described, the best defence in the league is travelling here, Bilbao will now face a team that is much better equipped offensively compared to the majority of their opponents so far. Moreover, the extra value tip is backed up by the statistics: In the past six home games Madrid always scored at least two goals against the Basques
Predicted line-up of Atletico Madrid:
Oblak – Felipe – Savic – Hermoso – Trippier – Ferreira Carrasco – Koke – Correa – Lllorente – Suarez – Griezmann
Last matches played by Atletico Madrid:
Spain Athletic Bilbao – Statistics & current form
The red and whites did not present themselves as strong away from home in the past season. Only about a third of the season’s points were collected on foreign soil. However, coach Marcelino Garcia’s team is still unbeaten away from home this season. Admittedly, however, the tasks so far have been predominantly easy with teams like Elche and the in-form Celta Vigo.
Last year’s tenth-placed team also has to cope with a number of absentees at the moment: In defence, Yerai Alvarez and Yuri Berchiche are two regulars missing and in midfield, Spain U21 international Oihan Sancet has to miss out.
Bilbao had an easy starting programme
Although they conceded only one goal despite their decimated defence, this was also due to the, as mentioned, easy schedule with only FC Barcelona as heavyweights on the agenda. In addition, the Catalans were severely weakened against the Rojiblancos and, since Messi’s departure, have often been a shadow of their former selves.
Inaki Williams, on the other hand, is in good form on the offensive: he scored a goal in each of the last two league games against Celta Vigo and Mallorca. At the same time, he has scored half of all goals so far for the eight-time Spanish champions, which quickly makes it clear that the attack as a whole has room for improvement.
Will the home side prevail with a clean sheet?
With this in mind, despite the host’s recent lack of defensive solidity in Atletico Madrid’s clash against Athletic Bilbao, the odds on a home win including a clean sheet from the hosts are value on top of that.
Predicted line-up of Athletic Bilbao:
Simon – Vivian – Lekue – Martinez – Balenziaga – Garcia – Vencedor – Muniam – Garcia – Williams -Serrano
Last matches played by Athletic Bilbao:
Atletico Madrid – Athletic Bilbao Direct Comparison / H2H Record
The last direct duel took place just under five months ago. On that occasion, the Leones achieved a 2-1 home victory over the 1974 World Cup winners, inflicting one of only four defeats over the course of the championship season.
Bilbao don’t like travelling to Madrid
In contrast, the away record in this pairing is disastrous from the visitors’ point of view: No victory has been achieved in Madrid for more than ten years. Instead, no less than eleven defeats and only one draw have been recorded. For the next edition of Atletico Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao, the odds are already leaning towards a home win again.
Spain Atletico Madrid – Athletic Bilbao Spain Tip
The three-time Europa League winners started this week in the top flight with a disappointing home draw against Porto, but the champions have been very stable in league action. Despite the extra pressure, a home win is selected for the clash between Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao
The Basques are still unbeaten, but this was not least due to a comparatively easy schedule. In addition, Bilbao were weak away from home last season and now have to do without important injured defenders. Furthermore, with the fans returning at least in part this season, the home advantage is once again stronger for the opponents.
Furthermore, the eleven-time Spanish champions have once again upgraded their already strong squad, which is why the advantage also lies with the home side from this point of view. Last but not least, the statistics speak in favour of the champions: the last six home games against the 23-time cup winners of the country have all been won!
