Athletic Bilbao have started the new La Liga season well. The Lions are unbeaten in four matches with eight points from 12 possible taken.
On Saturday, Marcelino’s team go to the capital to face off with Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano. Atletico Madrid are third in the La Liga standings thanks to goal difference.
🎙️ Raúl García 🙌🗣️ "We're a team. It makes me enormously happy when someone takes my place and does well. Even more so if he's young and has the potential to learn and improve."#AtletiAthletic #AthleticClub 🦁 pic.twitter.com/qyzgND9coO— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) September 15, 2021
🎙️ Raúl García 🙌🗣️ "We're a team. It makes me enormously happy when someone takes my place and does well. Even more so if he's young and has the potential to learn and improve."#AtletiAthletic #AthleticClub 🦁 pic.twitter.com/qyzgND9coO
Los Rojiblancos are level on points with first-place Real Madrid and could go top of the table with a win or draw depending on the result of Los Blancos’ match with second-place Valenica on Sunday night.
Last season’s matches between Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao were won by the home team. Atletico Madrid claimed a 2-1 win at home thanks to goals from Marcos Llorente and Luis Suarez from the penalty spot. Those goals came after an Iker Muniain earlier strike.
The reverse fixture at San Mames was won by Athletic Bilbao 2-1. Alex Berenguer and Inigo Maritnez scored on either side of a Stefan Savic goal.
Atletico Madrid are coming off a disappointing home nil-nil draw in the Champions League against FC Porto. Diego Simeone’s team will play AC Milan and Liverpool next in a very difficult Champions League group.
Los Rojiblancos are unbeaten at the Wanda Metropolitano this season. The team took four points from their opening six available. Atletico Madrid have not scored many goals at home with just three going into the back of the net.
The problem Atletico Madrid have this season is conceding goals. At home, they have allowed two goals. They have allowed four goals in four matches this season.
Athletic Bilbao have taken four points from six on possible away from home this season. They have allowed zero goals on the road, but the problem Athletic Bilbao typically have had is goalscoring. Just one goal from Athletic Bilbao has been scored this term away from home.
The last six matches between Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao played in the capital were won by Los Rojiblancos. Simeone’s team has dominated the series of matches between these teams played in Madrid.
According to Atletico Madrid, there are no new injuries going into the match. Marcelino has several personnel issues going into the game.
Midfielders Oihan Sancet and Peru Nolaskoain are doubts due to injury. Defenders Yeray Alvarez, Aitor Paredes, and Yuri Berchiche are all three doubts thanks to their own respective fitness issues.
Atletico Madrid have won with six straight matches in La Liga at home against Athletic Bilbao. The Lions should struggle to score goals on the road as Atletico Madrid claim another home victory this season and a win to nil.