Atletico Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao
18 September 1515hrs
Football – Spain – La Liga
Pick Atletico Madrid
Bookmaker Betvictor
Odds: 4/7 odds taken 2000 GMT, Wednesday 15 September
Both Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao will be happy with their respective starts as the two put their unbeaten records on the line this Saturday.
Table of Contents
It was a famous title win for Diego Simeone and his players last season, securing the club’s second La Liga during the coach’s reign. The challenge for Atletico is attempting to retain that title with city rivals Real expected to be their biggest threat but with Barcelona and Sevilla also capable if things fall right. Their start to this season has been strong with 10 points from their first four games. Atleti have beaten Celta Vigo, Elche and Espanyol so far – all by a margin of one goal. Their only dropped points was against Villareal in a highly entertaining 2-2 draw.
The Spanish champions will be coming into this game on the back of their opening Champions League game of the campaign. They host Porto on Wednesday and will be looking to continue their strong start.
Simeone has opted to be targeted in his attempt to strengthen the squad over the summer. Antoine Griezmann has returned from Barcelona and looking to resurrect his club career. South Americans Rodrigo De Paul and Mattheus Cunha have also arrived with Saul the most notable departure.
One clean sheet in four games is not the sort of record we associated with Simeone-managed teams and he’ll be looking to shore that up in the coming weeks. Atletico kept 10 clean sheets at home last season, the most in the division. Unsurprisingly they had the best overall defensive record in La Liga.
Athletic Bilbao Preview – Could Athletic return home to Bilbao with their first away win in this fixture for 12 years?
Marcelino has been in charge of Athletic since January this year and he’s looking to continue what has been a very positive start to life at the San Mames. A finishing position of 10th last season could have been better if not for a disappointing end to the season. The Bilbao club also reached the final of the Copa del Rey but were well beaten by Barcelona.
This campaign has started well and they come into this game unbeaten in their first four, winning their most recent two. Victories over Celta Vigo and Mallorca coupled with points against Elche and Barca see them sit in fifth spot.
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The concession of one goal in those four games indicates just how measly this defence is. Four goals scored may not be overly impressive but when you don’t many those goals go a long way.
Inaki Williams has two of those four goals in La Liga and looking to improve on the last couple of seasons where he’s managed just six in each of them. His best ever return was 13 in 2018/19 and if he can match that it should see Athletic remain in touch with the European places come the end of the season.
Atletico Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao Betting Advice
Two unbeaten records are on the line in this game. Atleti know these are the sort of games they have to be winning if they are to win the title but their visitors are evolving under Marcelino who enjoyed success with both Valencia and Villareal.
It’s the home team who have held the upper hand in this fixture, though. Atleti have won 13 of the last 16 meetings. Bilbao’s last win away to this rival was back in 2009.
Key Facts – Atletico Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao Betting Tip
- Atletico have made a fast start to the defence of their title taking 10 points from four games
- Bilbao are looking to preserve their unbeaten start to the season having won twice and drawn two
- Atleti have won 13 of the last 16 meetings against his opponent
Atletico’s options up top are much stronger this season than they have have been for a while. That coupled with their home advantage should see the three points remain in the Spanish capital.
Best Betting Odds for Atletico Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao
