Athletic Bilbao will welcome Diego Simeone’s champions-league chasing Atletico Madrid side to the Estadio San Mames in one of Sunday’s La Liga round 28 games.
The host who currently occupies 10th place will be looking to continue their mini-run of form before the season break, which saw them record two straight wins after going ten without a win in the league.
The visitors on their part will look to record a win here and climb up the table as the season gradually comes to an end. Before the season’s suspension, the visitors were unbeaten in five games in the league. Diego Simeone will be looking for a statement win in this tie.
Team News
Asier Villalibre is unlikely to feature in this weekend tie, while Inigo Lekue is expected to return later this month as he remains out with an ankle injury.
For Atletico Madrid, Joa Felix is missing with a knee injury, while Angel Correa, Sime Vrsaljko are injury doubts. Spanish midfielder Victor Vitolo will miss the tie through illness while Dario Poveda is the only long term absentee.
Head to head
Atletico Madrid hold a superior head-to-head record in this tie with four wins in the last five games between both sides.
Team Form
Athletico Bilbao last five games in all competitions: WLWLLL
Atletico Madrid last five games in all competitions: WDDWW
Betting Preview
Bilbao head into this game comfortably sitting in mid-table with 37 points from 27 games. A push for a European spot finish will be on their minds heading into the season’s final run as they are currently just five points off seventh-placed Valencia.
The hosts have scored 29 times in the league this season, with only 15 coming at home, making them one of the lowest scoring sides in the league. Home matches involving them have averaged 1.69 goals—the lowest in the league. Their home matches often record low scores as four straight 1-0 scoreline was recorded at home.
At the other end of the pitch, Los Leones have conceded 23 times this season—only Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid have conceded less in the league this season. They have also kept ten clean sheets, with seven of those coming in at home.
The hosts will hope to stand resilient against an Atletico Madrid side that has scored just eleven times away from home this season.
The visitors are slow starters, often going into the second half goalless. They have seen nearly half of their La Liga games end in 0-0 at half time. Eight of those 16 goalless first halves were away from home, resulting in an average of 0.56 goals per game in matches involving them.
The visitors are also tight at the back on average, as they have conceded just twelve times 12 times in 13 matches away from home this season.
Suggested Bets
Half-time draw/Atletico to win second half @ 22/5
Under 2.5 goals @ 4/9
Atletico Madrid win @ 5/4
