On Saturday evening, Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid face off in a crucial La Liga clash. Both teams are eager to recover after disappointing losses in their previous matches.
Athletic Bilbao’s Current Struggles
Athletic Bilbao currently sits in eighth place in the La Liga standings, accumulating 20 points from 15 matches. Their most recent outing resulted in a 3-0 home loss to Real Madrid, which exposed their defensive vulnerabilities, particularly against star player Kylian Mbappe.
The team has also struggled in the Champions League, with only four points from five matches, placing them 27th overall. Injuries have significantly impacted Athletic’s performance this season, and they will look to improve their form at home, where they have earned 13 points from eight league games this term.
Atletico Madrid’s Aim for Recovery
Atletico Madrid suffered a setback after a 3-1 defeat to Barcelona, ending their seven-game winning streak. Following this defeat, they remain in a competitive position, trailing leaders Barcelona by six points and Real Madrid by five points.
Diego Simeone’s side has performed well at home but has experienced challenges on the road, managing only two wins away from Wanda Metropolitano. Atletico aims to end 2025 on a high note with victories over Athletic, Valencia, and Girona.
Matchup History and Statistics
The two teams have met 210 times historically, with Athletic recording 79 wins, 96 losses, and 35 draws. Atletico Madrid has dominated the recent encounters, winning the last three, including a 1-0 away victory last season.
Lineups and Team News
Athletic will be without Yeray Alvarez due to suspension and several key players, including Robert Navarro and Unai Egiluz, who are sidelined with injuries. Oihan Sancet returns after serving a suspension, while Inaki Williams is doubtful due to a groin injury.
Atletico Madrid has its own injury concerns, with Robin Le Normand and Marcos Llorente both doubtful. Alex Baena and Jonny Cardoso will be assessed following their substitutions in the last match.
Predicted Lineups
| Athletic Bilbao | Atletico Madrid |
|---|---|
| Simon | Oblak |
| Lekue, Vivian, Laporte, Boiro | Molina, Gimenez, Lenglet, Hancko |
| Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar | Simeone, Koke, Barrios, Gallagher |
| Berenguer, Sancet, N. Williams | Sorloth, Alvarez |
Match Prediction
In this upcoming match, both teams are eager for redemption. Our prediction leans toward a narrow victory for Atletico Madrid, possibly 1-0. However, given the recent performances, a scoreless draw could also be on the cards.
As the teams prepare for this important fixture, fans can expect a closely contested match at San Mames. The stakes are high as both Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid aim to improve their standings in La Liga.
