Atletico Madrid take on Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Sunday afternoon, with the home side looking to keep up their superb run of form at the Wanda Metropolitano. Meanwhile, their opponents are looking to end a run of five matches without a win in the Spanish top-flight, meaning that it is the hosts who are the firm favourites for victory this weekend.
Spanish La Liga – Atletico Madrid v Athletic Bilbao – Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid – Sunday 18th February – 15:15 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 4/9 at Ladbrokes |
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Atletico Madrid
Athletic BilbaoMatch Preview
Former Champions League finalists Atletico Madrid host Athletic Bilbao this weekend, with both teams searching for three points for differing reasons in the Spanish capital. Managers Diego Simeone and José Ángel Ziganda will also go head-to-head at the Wanda Metropolitano, with both looking to gain a tactical advantage for their team. Despite the hosts being the favourites for victory, those still unsure of who to back should check out our top betting tip below. However, let’s first take a closer look at the two teams, starting with Atletico Madrid.
Atletico Madrid Team News & Form
Atletico Madrid recorded a narrow 1-0 win over bottom-placed Malaga over the weekend, meaning that they have still lost just one La Liga match all season. The hosts are now just seven points behind league leaders Barcelona, while being ten points clear of rivals Real Madrid. The arrival of Diego Costa has added another dimension to the Madrid attack, with Antoine Griezmann having seemingly rediscovered his best form after a difficult first half of the season. The hosts have conceded just nine goals in La Liga this season, the best defensive record in Spain.
Athletic Bilbao Team News & Form
Athletic Bilbao were held to a goalless draw by Las Palmas last time around, their fifth consecutive encounter without a win. Pressure is mounting on manager Ziganda as a result, with the visitors sitting just eight points clear of the relegation zone in a season where they were expected to challenge for a European qualifying position. The likes of Inaki Williams, Aritz Aduriz and midfielder Benat are among the most talented players for the visitors, who have scored just 24 goals so far this season.
Head to Head
The two teams have met 32 times in the past, with Atletico Madrid having won 21 of such meetings, as well as recording four draws. Diego Simeone led his team to six points from the last two meetings between the duo, including a 2-1 success away from home earlier in the campaign.
Atletico Madrid v Athletic Bilbao – Betting Odds and Predictions
Given their standing in the La Liga table and their status as the home team, it comes as little surprise that it is Atletico Madrid who are the favourites for victory with the majority of bookmakers. The home side can be backed at odds of 2/5 at Skybet, while those looking to bet on an away win for Athletic Bilbao can take advantage of 15/2 odds with William Hill.
Top Betting Tip Atletico Madrid v Athletic Bilbao
However, our top betting tip for the match is to bet on Atletico Madrid keeping a clean sheet this weekend, which is available at odds of 8/13 with PaddyPower.