Athletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid
15:00
Bilbao have been held to goalless draws in their last two since returning from the winter break and so remain in 7th, but are now six points off Atletico in 4th. Diego Simeone has returned to a focus on defensive solidity by playing centre back Jose Giminez in central midfield and the results have been immediate as they’ve won their last three without conceding.
Since defeat against Barca in their opening home game of the season, Bilbao have won six of eight unbeaten games at the San Memes Stadium, including against Sevilla and Villarreal. However, they’ve now lost seven of their last nine at home to top-three teams, including their last four at home to Atletico in all competitions. What’s more, Bilbao will be without the suspended Etxebarria and Adruiz for this one, with the latter once again Bilbao’s top scorer this term. Indeed, the Form Lab Black Players tool tells us that Bilbao have lost four of their five games against top-six sides without Adruiz since the start of last season.
With their defence looking watertight once again, we think there’s a good chance that Atleti could make it four clean sheets in a row here, particularly with Adruiz out for the hosts. They won at Bilbao, Real, Celta Vigo and Sevilla last term without conceding and since three of these victories were either 1-0 or 2-0 scorelines, as indeed has been the case in their last three wins against all opposition, we’re backing the Atletico Win and Under 2.5 Goals.
