Athletic Bilbao vs Atletico Madrid Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Spanish Primera
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THE FACTS
When is Athletic Bilbao vs Atletico Madrid on and what time does it start? Athletic Bilbao vs Atletico Madrid will take place on Saturday 16th December, 2023 – 13:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Athletic Bilbao vs Atletico Madrid? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Athletic Bilbao vs Atletico Madrid on in the UK? Athletic Bilbao vs Atletico Madrid will be televised live on LaLigaTV, but La Liga matches are also televised occasionally on Viaplay Sports and ITV
Where can I stream Athletic Bilbao vs Atletico Madrid in the UK? Athletic Bilbao vs Atletico Madrid can be streamed live on Viaplay, while ITV matches can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
ATHLETIC BILBAO
Coached by former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde, it has been another impressive season for Athletic Club as they look set to genuinely compete for a top four spot and potential UEFA Champions League qualification this season. The Basque club begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting fifth in the table, above rivals Real Sociedad on goal difference.
They have suffered just three defeats in La Liga so far this season but come into this on the back of being held to a 1-1 draw by struggling Granada in their most recent outing, last weekend. The home team are now unbeaten in their last eight matches across all competition.
ATLETICO MADRID
Diego Simeone has managed to revolutionise the way Atletico Madrid have played their football this season and they continued their impressive 2023/24 campaign with a comfortable 2-0 defeat of Lazio in midweek to ensure they finished top of their UEFA Champions League group. Los Rojiblancos are a lot more entertaining to watch than, arguably, they ever have been with Simeone.
Atletico begin this weekend sitting seven points adrift of the current league leaders, Girona, but they have a game-in-hand on the Catalans as they try and move themselves into the Spanish title race. They have scored over two goals per game in their 15 La Liga matches so far this season and have also notched 17 goals in six UEFA Champions League matches in the groups.
THE TEAM NEWS
ATHLETIC BILBAO
Athletic remain without Mikel Vesga and Yeray Alvarez for this weekend, whilst Dani Garcia and Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta are also still doubts.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; de Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, Lekue; Herrera, Ruiz de Galarreta; I.Williams, Sancet, N.Williams; Guruzeta
UNAVAILABLE: Vesga (Injured), Yeray (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Ruiz de Galarreta (Injured), Dani Garcia (Injured)
ATLETICO MADRID
Atletico Madrid have a few injury concerns for the trip north this weekend with Pablo Barrios and Thomas Lemar remaining unavailable for Simeone’s men.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Oblak; Savic, Witsel, Azpilicueta; Llorente, De Paul, Koke, Lino; Correa, Griezmann; Morata
UNAVAILABLE: Barrios (Injured), Lemar (Injured), Vitolo (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Neither of these two sides were necessarily ‘must watch’ viewing last year but, this time around, both have evolved their style of football and look in contention for positive campaigns with Athletic pushing for a top four finish and Atletico aiming to win the Spanish title. This should be a genuinely thrilling and entertaining encounter at the San Mames with both teams scoring looking a good bet for this one on Saturday afternoon.
TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
