Athletic Bilbao vs Atletico Madrid

Estadio San Mames sets the stage for a blockbuster La Liga encounter between Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid.

It’s been a troubled league start for Athletic Bilbao. After going winless in the opening two rounds (D1, L1), Ernesto Valverde’s side squeezed past Valencia 1-0 in midweek La Liga action to get off the mark, bolstering their pursuit of a higher top-flight finish than last season’s fifth. Despite entering this contest as slight pre-match outsiders, Los Leones head into proceedings in a buoyant mood, having defeated Atletico Madrid in four of their last five competitive duels in the Basque Country (L1). Valverde’s charges ran out 2-0 victors in this corresponding fixture in December 2023 before hammering Los Colchoneros 3-0 in Copa del Rey action in February. Another quick-fire start could be of the essence, considering five of the last six meetings between these two teams have seen one side find the net.

Though Atletico Madrid have yet to lose at the start of the new La Liga campaign, Diego Simeone cannot be pleased to see his team drop points against Espanyol and Villarreal (W1, D2). A heartbreaking 0-0 draw against the former last time out saw Atletico Madrid generate 25 shots on goal and 2.67 xG but eventually fail to trouble the scoreboard. It means a 3-0 home win against Girona remains their only league win in 2024/25. But despite a scoreless stalemate against Espanyol, Los Rojiblancos have been in decent scoring form this term, netting 2+ goals in two previous league outings. A goal-glutted 2-2 draw at Villarreal on day one saw the visiting team extend their unbeaten league run away from home to four matches (W3, D1), strengthening their effort to avenge last season’s fiasco on this ground.