Athletic Club and Atlético Madrid are set to face off in what promises to be a closely contested La Liga encounter. Both teams have shown defensive resilience in recent matches, suggesting this could be a low-scoring affair.
Game Preview
Athletic Club: Coming off a narrow 1-0 victory against Valencia, Athletic Club will be looking to build on that momentum at San Mames. They’ve been solid defensively, with four clean sheets in their last 10 matches. However, their attack has been inconsistent, averaging just 1.3 goals per game during the same period.
Atlético Madrid: Diego Simeone’s side played out a frustrating 0-0 draw at home against Espanyol in their last match. Atlético Madrid has been more consistent, winning six of their last 10 league games. They’ve also been defensively sound, conceding just 0.9 goals per game, and will look to keep things tight once again.
Key Stats & Insights
- Under 2.5 Goals: This has been a common trend for both teams. Athletic Club has seen under 2.5 goals in four of their last five home games. Atlético Madrid has also experienced under 2.5 goals in six of their last 10 away matches.
- Head-to-Head: In the last 10 meetings between these teams, five have seen under 2.5 goals. Atlético Madrid won the most recent encounter 3-1, but overall, the matches have been closely fought, with each team winning five of the last 10.
Team Form and Performance
- Athletic Club: They’ve recorded 4 wins, 3 losses, and 3 draws in their last 10 games. While their defense has been solid, their attack has struggled, averaging just 3.6 shots on target per game.
- Atlético Madrid: Atlético has been slightly more potent, with 6 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws in their last 10 games. They average 4.6 shots on goal per match, with Antoine Griezmann leading the way with 4 goals.
Predicted Lineups
- Athletic Club (4-2-3-1): Julen Agirrezabala; Oscar de Marcos, Daniel Vivian, Yeray Alvarez, Adama Boiro; Benat Prados, Mikel Vesga; Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams; Gorka Guruzeta.
- Atlético Madrid (5-3-2): Jan Oblak; Jose Gimenez, Axel Witsel, Robin Le Normand, Marcos Llorente, Samuel Dias Lino; Rodrigo De Paul, Koke, Pablo Barrios; Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez.
Market Analysis (Odds)
- Athletic Club Win: 2.75 (36% probability)
- Draw: 3.20 (31% probability)
- Atlético Madrid Win: 2.60 (39% probability)
Predictions
- Best Bet: Under 2.5 Goals @ 1.80 (-125) – Given both teams’ recent defensive performances and their history of low-scoring encounters, under 2.5 goals is the most logical bet.
- Correct Score Prediction: 1-1 Draw – Both teams are defensively solid but have struggled to score consistently, making a 1-1 draw a likely outcome.
Final Thoughts
This match is expected to be a tactical battle, with both teams focusing on maintaining their defensive solidity. A low-scoring draw seems the most probable result, with neither side likely to take too many risks.