Atletico Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Atletico Madrid are coasting in La Liga with their priorities elsewhere as they now face an Athletic Club side that earned themselves a much-needed win the other day.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – 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 – Premier Player & Disney+ / US – ESPN+
Atletico Madrid preview: Focus on the UCL
Atletico Madrid lost the Copa del Rey final on penalties to Real Sociedad at La Cartuja in Seville last weekend and their entire season now rests on their upcoming UEFA Champions League semi-final against Arsenal.
In La Liga, Atleti have taken their foot off the gas in some style with four successive defeats in the league, most recently succumbing to a 3-2 defeat to relegation-battling Elche at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero the other day.
Athletic Bilbao preview: Looking to finish strong
Athletic Club are heading into a new era this summer with the departure of Ernesto Valverde as the Basque giants seek to finish with a flourish by squeezing into the European spots once again.
The visitors most recently managed to defeat Osasuna in a derby at the weekend, winning by a goal to nil at San Mames with a 16th minute strike scored by Gorka Guruzeta.
Atletico Madrid team news: Probable rotation
Atletico have played the kids in the league of late and they may stick with that here. Thiago Almada is missing through suspension, while Matteo Ruggeri, Ademola Lookman and Alexander Soorloth are injury issues.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Oblak; Jaume Bonar, Le Normand, Lenglet, Gonzalez; Obed Vargas, Johnny, Rodri Mendoza, Giuliano Simeone; Alex Baena, Griezmann
Unavailable: Jose Maria Gimenez (Injured), Almada (Suspended), Lookman (Injured), Sorloth (Injured)
Questionable: Hancko (Injured), Ruggeri (Injured)
Athletic Bilbao team news: Mikel Jauregizar suspended
Key midfielder Mikel Jauregizar was sent off the other day and so he is now missing through suspension, while key centre-back Aymeric Laporte has picked up a hamstring injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Andoni Gorosabel, Yeray, Dani Vivian, Inigo Lekue; Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Mikel Vesga; Inaki Williams, Alex Berenguer, Nico Williams; Gorka Guruzeta
Unavailable: Mikel Jauregizar (Suspended)
Questionable: Laporte (Injured), Yuri Berchiche (Injured), Benat Prados (Injured)
Atletico Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao prediction
Atletico Madrid have UEFA Champions League qualification more or less secured and their attention has been elsewhere for a while now – unlikely to change ahead of this midweek’s clash with the Gunners. Athletic have struggled throughout this campaign but with their injury crisis softening and inconsistency from the other chasers pushing for the top seven, siding with the visitors may well be a good bet for this one at the Metropolitano.
Atletico Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao tip: Double chance – Athletic Bilbao to win or draw
