Athletic Bilbao will play host to Atletico Madrid on Saturday at the San Mames Barria as they clash in a top-four power tussle.
Venue: Estadio San Mamés (Bilbao
Key Statistics
Athletic Bilbao have won three of their last four home games (L1).
They have scored 3+ goals in three of their last four games.
The hosts have conceded five goals in the league this season. Only Barcelona (1) have conceded fewer goals.
Atletico Madrid have won just one of their last four away games (D1, L2).
However, the visitors are currently on a six-game unbeaten La Liga away run (W5, D1), with all of those matches seeing the Rojiblancos strike first.
Only Getafe have lost to Diego Simeone on more occasions (19) than Athletic Club.
Head to head
Athletic Bilbao are unbeaten in their last four games against Atletico Madrid (W3, D1).
None of the last 16 H2Hs have separated these sides by more than two goals.
Latest performances in all competitions
Athletic Club: D-W-W-W-L
Atletico Madrid: D-W-L-W-L
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao have stepped up their game this season and sit in third place after eight rounds of La Liga football.
Ernesto Valverde has built a solid team this season as the Bilbao-based side have racked up five wins, one loss and the draws to sit third with 17 goals and one of the best defensive records in the League.
The Spanish coach will now hope his side will consolidate on their top four chances by beating Atletico Madrid, especially with just one point separating them from Diego Simeone’s side.
Athletic Bilbao played out a disappointing 1-1 draw away to Sevilla last weekend, with Mikel Vesga salvaging a point for Ernesto Valverde’s side after Oliver Torres had given the host the lead in the fourth minute.
Los Leones have enjoyed success in this fixture in recent times with three wins, one draw and one loss in their last five encounters. And with the capital side showing signs of weakness in recent weeks, another good result may be in the cards for Ernesto Valverde and his side.
Possible Athletic Bilbao starting line-up
Unai Simon; Oscar de Marcos, Yeray Alvarez, Inigo Martinez, Inigo Lekue; Dani Garcia, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams, Iker Mûnein, Berenguer Remiro; Inaki Williams.
Injured: Yuri Berchiche
Doubtful: Daniel Vivian
Suspended: Ander Herrera
Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid have been uncharacteristically inconsistent in La Liga this season and have failed to secure back-to-back wins since the start of the La Liga season.
Los Rojiblancos have picked up five wins, two losses and one draw to sit fourth in the La Liga standings, seven points behind league leaders Barcelona.
Atletico Madrid are on the brink of a Champions League elimination in the Group stages, after picking up just four points in four games in the competition with one win, two losses and one draw, the latter being a 0-0 draw with Club Brugge in midweek.
Diego Simeone’s side, however, secured a 2-1 win over Girona in their last La Liga outing, and the Argentine manager will be keen to see his side secure yet another win as they try to keep the teams above them within touching distance.
Possible Atletico Madrid starting line-up
Jan Oblak; Nahuel Molina, Stefan Savic, Jose Gimenez, Reinildo Mandava; Angel Correa, Axel Witsel, Koke, Yannick Carrasco; Matheus Cunha, Antoine Greizmann.
Injured: Felipe Monteiro, Marcos Llorente
Doubtful: Molina
Suspended: None
Prediction
Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Atlético Madrid
