Atletico Madrid are looking to maintain their pursuit of the frontrunners when they face Athletic Bilbao in a Spanish La Liga fixture. The visitors are showing some good form at the moment, while the hosts appear out of sorts lately.
Athletic Bilbao have been well below their best this season and currently sit eighth in the table, four points off the European places. They have been particularly disappointing in recent weeks, losing five of their last eight matches in all competitions.
The Basque club will head into this clash off the back of a 3-0 home defeat to Real Madrid last time out in La Liga. That was the second defeat in three matches at San Mames for Ernesto Valverde's team, who are unconvincing at home.
Atletico Madrid dropped to fourth in the table, six points off the pace after suffering a 3-1 defeat at Barcelona in their previous La Liga fixture. They struck first through Alex Baena but were unable to see out the win.
The task for Atletico Madrid will be to make a swift return to winning ways, having won their previous seven matches in all competitions. Diego Simeone's men have also won two of their last three away matches.
How the bookies view it: Bookies backing Atletico
Atletico Madrid have the edge among the bookies and are priced at 6/5 by Betfred to claim the win. A victory for Athletic Bilbao is valued at 5/2 by bet365, who are also offering odds of 23/10 for a draw.
Head to head: Slight edge for Atletico
Atletico Madrid have a 7-6 edge, with two draws in the last 15 matches against Athletic Bilbao. The hosts won the two meetings last season, claiming 1-0 victories in both fixtures.
Players to watch: Eyes on Alvarez
Julian Alvarez remains the biggest attacking threat for Atletico Madrid, having scored seven La Liga goals this season. The striker was also on target in the last meeting with Athletic Bilbao and could be the one to watch (Julian Alvarez anytime goalscorer – priced at 2/1 by Ladbrokes).
Nico Williams has carried much of the attacking threat for Athletic Bilbao and is their leading scorer with three goals. The forward could be worth keeping an eye on (Nico Williams anytime goalscorer – valued at 4/1 by bet365).
Probable line-ups:
Athletic Bilbao have injury problems, with Inaki Williams, Maroan Sannadi and Robert Navarro all ruled out. William should continue in attack, while Aymeric Laporte is set to retain his place at the back.
Meanwhile, Robin Le Normand and Marcos Llorente remain sidelined with injury for Atletico Madrid. Alexander Sorloth could come in to partner Alvarez in attack, while Jose Gimenez should feature in defence.
Athletic Bilbao: Simon, Lekue, Vivian, Laporte, Boiro, Gomez, Rego, Berenguer, Jauregizar, Williams, Guruzeta.
Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Molina, Gimenez, Lenglet, Hancko, Barrios, Koke, Simeone, Baena, Sorloth, Alvarez.
Anything else catch the eye?
Atletico Madrid have scored first in their last eight matches in all competitions (Atletico Madrid to score first – available at 5/6 with William Hill). Both teams have also scored in five of their last eight away matches (BTTS YES – offered at 19/20 by bet365).
The visitors have led at the break in two of their last three matches (Atletico Madrid halftime win – set at odds of 15/8 by bet365).
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