Athletic Bilbao vs Atletico Madrid predictions, H2H and match preview for this Sunday’s game in La Liga. Read on for analysis and predicted line-ups ahead of perhaps the pick of the weekend fixtures.
by Mark Sochon (@marksoc1)
Athletic Bilbao vs Atletico Madrid Preview
The Sunday action in La Liga kicks off with an intriguing fixture at San Mames as Athletic Club play host to Atletico Madrid. Both sides are in the top half but a bit short on where they’d really like to be. The pressure is particularly on Diego Simeone’s side who have budgeted for Champions League qualification and desperately need to improve on their current 6th place.
In theory this should be a simpler task for Atleti than it would have been with close to 50,000 Basques inside San Mames cheering on Athletic. That was the task they were preparing for when the season was brought to a premature halt but it will be a much stranger occasion now with Athletic one of those clubs that really could suffer from the ban on supporters attending matches.
Gaizka Garitano has signed a new contract during the break in the season and while he has helped guide Athletic to the Copa del Rey Final, their league form has been less impressive. They did end the first part of the season with back-to-back wins in La Liga but had gone 10 league matches without tasting victory prior to that as their top six hopes faded.
Atletico Madrid also headed into the break on the back of a fine cup triumph as they dumped Liverpool out of the Champions League, but also a sense that they should be doing better in La Liga. A lack of goals and cutting edge in the final third has been a problem all season with Atleti boasting only the 12th best scoring record in the Spanish top flight.
Diego Simeone has been experimenting in training with Anfield hero Marcos Llorente in an attacking midfield or even support striker role despite an otherwise non too prolific scoring record. That could be the way they go here with João Félix suspended in any case. Yannick Carrasco could also get a start out wide while it’s likely to be business as usual for Athletic who have no major absentees.
Season Recap: La Liga 2019/20 – The Story so Far
Athletic Bilbao vs Atletico Madrid Predictions
Score Prediction: 0-0 Draw
This is a tough one to call with so many unknowns with regards to just how the absence of fans will impact on the resumption of La Liga. Atletico have a pretty good recent record on this ground overall in recent years but there is no quick fix for their struggle for goals and they may be left frustrated by what is La Liga’s 3rd best defence.
Athletic Bilbao vs Atletico Madrid Betting Tips (18+)
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It’s also worth mentioning that this weekend could be very unpredictable with many new variables as a result of the pause to the season and absence of fans. If you do choose to bet, only stake what you can afford to lose. See BeGambleAware for more on responsible gambling.
Athletic Bilbao vs Atletico Madrid H2H
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 5 Atleti Wins, 1 Athletic Win.
- Athletic were 2-0 winners in this fixture last term.
- However Atleti had won on 4 of their previous 5 visits to Bilbao.
- Atleti were 2-0 winners when the sides met in Madrid earlier this term.
Predicted Line Ups
Athletic Team:
Simon – Yuri, Martinez, Yeray, Capa – Vesga, Garcia – Cordoba, Muniain, Garcia – Williams (4-2-3-1)
Atleti Team:
Oblak – Lodi, Savic, Gimenez, Trippier – Koke, Thomas, Saul, Carrasco – Llorente – Costa (4-4-1-1)
We will have match previews for every game in La Liga this season.
Elsewhere this Weekend in LaLiga
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