This can easily be described as a crunch clash, as both Atletico and Bilbao are locked in the battle for the 4th spot. The former will have the home advantage and will enter the game with a 3-point lead, but their recent form leaves much to be desired. The latter’s form is also far from optimal, especially when playing away from home.
Atletico Madrid Team News
Diego Simeone’s team is certainly not in the best shape they can be. Their recent elimination from the Champions League by Borussia Dortmund has piled on the misery for Atletico. In La Liga, the team’s form is slipping at the most crucial of times as Atletico have suffered 3 defeats from their last 5 league fixtures. What has remained a constant throughout the season is the good track record in regards to home games. The recent home loss against Barcelona was the first for the team in this campaign. Earlier during the season, however, Atletico did suffer another home loss in the Copa Del Rey and that came against none other than Athletic Bilbao.
Athletic Bilbao Team News
Whatever happens in the remainder of the season one thing will remain a fact – Bilbao won silverware for the first time in 40 years by claiming the Copa Del Rey. But Ernesto Valverde’s team also has ambitions for a top-league finish as well. The recent form for them has not been good though as Bilbao has failed to win any of their last 3 league games. Moreover, the team’s away performances have left much to be desired as Athletic have won just 1 of their last 5 away fixtures, losing 2 in the process. And when facing the top 8 sides as guests this season, Bilbao has done a terrible job by losing 5 out of 6 such games and securing just a draw in the last such match.
Head-to-Head-Games
What’s interesting is that Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao have already met on 3 occasions during this season alone, with the coming game being their 4th encounter. Bilbao managed to win all of the previous 3 games and have convincingly won them – to nil. Yes, Atletico Madrid has not scored a goal against Athletic Bilbao so far in this campaign.
| Rank | Teams | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goal difference | Points | Current form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Atlético Madrid | 34 | 21 | 4 | 9 | 24 | 67 | WWLWW |
| Rank | Teams | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goal difference | Points | Current form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Athletic Bilbao | 34 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 22 | 61 | LDDLW |
Atletico Madrid – Athletic Bilbao Betting Prediction
This without a doubt will be one of the most important games for both sides this season. Atletico Madrid has done poorly against Athletic in all of their 3 fixtures between them this season and this will be their last chance to show a different face against them. At the very least a spot in the top 4 is at stake here and Atletico are a tough host. In the meantime, Bilbao are not the best of teams on visits and their track record on the road against sides in the top 8 this season is horrid. My gut feeling tells me that this will be the game in which Atletico manages to win and solidify their 4th spot by doing so.
Betting Tip: Atletico Madrid To Win
Bookmaker: Sportsbet.io
Odds: 1.98
Sportsbet.io
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