Athletic Bilbao vs Atletico Madrid Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Athletic Club will fancy themselves to be difficult to play against at San Mames as the Basque giants now welcome Atletico Madrid to Northern Spain.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / USA – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / USA – ESPN+
Athletic Bilbao preview: Awkward Athletic
Athletic Club began the season in a new era following the departure of Ernesto Valverde and the appointment of former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic. Athletic got themselves a much-needed win last week, too.
After beginning their season with defeats to Sevilla and then Barcelona, Athletic earned themselves an impressive 2-0 victory at Balaidos against Celta Vigo in Galicia with an impressive performance.
Atletico Madrid preview: Back on track
Diego Simeone remains in charge of the still fairly big spending Atletico Madrid, especially for La Liga standards, and Los Rojiblancos have started well with two victories and a draw in their opening three matches.
After a frustrating and topsy turvy 2-2 draw against Villarreal at the Metropolitano, Atletico then eased to a 3-1 victory against Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan with first half goals from Alex Baena, who notched a brace, and Ademola Lookman.
Athletic Bilbao team news: A few injuries
Athletic Club are dealing with a few injuries for this one, especially in defence, as Unai Egiluz is sidelined with fellow centre-back Dani Vivian a doubt.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Jesus Areso, Aitor Paredes, Laporte, Yuri Berchiche; Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Benat Gerenabarrena; Alex Berenguer, Oihan Sancet, Robert Navarro; Inaki Williams
Unavailable: Unai Egiluz (Injured), Paio Canales (Injured)
Questionable: Dani Vivian (Injured), Benat Prados (Injured)
Atletico Madrid team news: Julian Alvarez’ ‘illness’
Julian Alvarez missed three days’ worth of training due to illness last week. The wantaway Argentine has returned but his relationship with the club and his teammates remains a debate after his outspoken desire to leave this summer.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Oblak; Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill, Hancko, Alex Grimaldo; Giuliano Simeone, Pablo Barrios, Hjulmand, Lee; Lookman, Alex Baena
Unavailable: Sorloth (Injured)
Questionable: Obed Vargas (Injured), Julian Alvarez (Illness)
Athletic Bilbao vs Atletico Madrid prediction
Athletic Bilbao will fancy themselves to take the game to Atletico Madrid here. That is the way in which Edin Terzic intends to play football and the Basque outfit were able to do that against Celta last week, albeit only really in the first half. Both teams scoring may well be a decent bet here at San Mames with Atletico one of the more entertaining and chaotic teams to watch in Europe.
Athletic Bilbao vs Atletico Madrid tip: Both teams to score
