Athletic Bilbao vs Atlético Madrid Preview 15/10/2022

Athletic Bilbao vs Atlético Madrid – 15/10/2022

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Athletic Bilbao are in fine form in La Liga and go into round No. 9 in third place in the standings. The Lions will host fourth-place Atletico Madrid on Saturday evening in the Primera as they seek a fifth straight game without defeat.

Atletico Madrid are on a two-game winning streak in La Liga. Los Rojiblancos are just one point behind Athletic Bilbao and could move above the Basque team with a victory.

Athletic Bilbao have a strong record against Atletico in the teams’ last six head-to-head matches. The Lions posted three wins, two draws, and just one loss during their last six fixtures with Atletico.

The Lions played Atletico Madrid three times in 2021-22 in all competitions. Athletic Club won two, and drew one of those three fixtures, and outscored Atletico Madrid 4-1.

Ernesto Valverde joined Athletic Bilbao in the offseason and his methods have worked wonders for the Lions. They have a record of 5W-2D-1L after eight fixtures. The Lions took 13 points from the last 18 points on offer in La Liga, scoring 16 times and conceding five goals.

Atletico Madrid also picked up 13 points from the last 18 points on offer in the league. They scored 11 goals and conceded five times across the last six fixtures.

Valverde will be without just one player for the match as midfielder Ander Herrera is suspended. The former Manchester United player received a red card against Sevilla in Athletic’s 1-1 draw a week ago. Herrera will be a massive miss for Valverde.

Diego Simeone will likely have two players absent from the game. Midfielder Marcos Llorente is out with a hamstring problem, and Felipe Monteiro is out with a thigh muscle strain.

Athletic have scored the league’s third-most goals with 17. Inaki Williams, Alex Berenguer, Oihan Sancet, and Nico Williams are tied for the team lead in goals with three apiece.

Alvaro Morata leads Atletico in goals with four in La Liga. He should start in the team’s attack, as Atletico go for goals against a very good Athletic Club.

Atletico are coming off a midweek Champions League group stage nil-nil draw with Club Brugge. The draw was important as it kept Atletico’s unbeaten run going. Los Rojiblancos should post a win against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, ending their losing streak against the Basque club.

The match should be a shootout, with Atletico Madrid edging Athletic Bilbao 3-2. Morata could get his fifth goal of the season.