Atletico Madrid vs. Athletic Bilbao: Preview, Predictions & Betting Odds

This Saturday's La Liga fixture sees Atlético Madrid host Athletic Club in what is set to be a pivotal match at the Wanda Metropolitano. With both teams vying for a top-four finish and the accompanying Champions League qualification, the stakes could hardly be higher. As the season nears its end, this encounter could very well define the campaigns of these two storied clubs.

• Atlético Madrid To Win @ +290 With BetMGM
• Both Teams To Score @ -130 With BetMGM
• Atlético Madrid To Score 2+ Goals @ +310 With BetMGM

These odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

• Date: 27/04/2024
• Kick-off time: 20:00
• Location: Metropolitano Stadium

Currently positioned 4th in the league, Atlético Madrid have amassed 61 points from 31 games. This season has been somewhat underwhelming for a team of Atlético's calibre, particularly given the lofty standards they've established under Diego Simeone's thirteen-year tenure. The team's performance this year can be attributed to a combination of ageing stalwarts and a lack of significant investment in new talent. The squad, while experienced, has shown signs of fatigue and a need for rejuvenation that Simeone has not been financially empowered to address.

Despite these challenges, Atlético remain in a favourable position to secure a Champions League spot, standing three points clear of their upcoming opponents, Athletic Club. The significance of maintaining this gap cannot be overstated, as it not only secures top-tier European football but also validates their competitive status amidst a transitional phase.

However, their continental aspirations suffered a blow last week, with the team being ousted from this year’s Champions League in the quarter-finals by Borussia Dortmund. This was a particularly disheartening result given that Atlético had secured a lead in the first leg, only to see it overturned in the return fixture. The psychological impact of such a defeat, coupled with the physical toll of a demanding season, could play into Saturday's game.

By contrast, Athletic Club, currently 5th with 58 points from 32 matches, have enjoyed a season that has exceeded expectations. Under the guidance of Ernesto Valverde, the club has seen a resurgence not just in form but in spirit. The highlight came just weeks ago when Valverde led his team to their first major trophy since 1984, with a victory over Mallorca in the Copa del Rey final. This triumph has not only boosted the morale of the team but also reignited the passions of their loyal fan base.

Athletic now aim to complement their cup success with a top-four league finish, a feat that has become synonymous with sustained success in European football. However, the path to achieving this is steep, as they face a direct competitor for the spot in Atlético. A victory in Madrid is crucial; a defeat would not only widen the points gap but also potentially jeopardise their European ambitions, considering they are just seven points ahead of sixth-placed Real Sociedad.

In recent meetings, Athletic Club have enjoyed the upper hand against Atlético, winning three of their last five encounters, including the last three consecutively. This record will undoubtedly boost the confidence of Valverde's men, who will look to exploit any lingering despondency in the Atlético squad following their European exit.

Beyond the immediate implications for Champions League qualification, this match is also a symbolic clash of trajectories. Atlético Madrid are grappling with the challenges of transitioning an ageing squad into a new era, while Athletic Club are riding a wave of rejuvenation under a seasoned manager enjoying a notable second tenure at the club.

In conclusion, as Atlético Madrid and Athletic Club prepare to face off this Saturday, the encounter is set not just as a battle for points, but as a defining moment that could shape the future directions of these historic clubs. The outcome will resonate far beyond the confines of this single match, potentially marking a shift in La Liga's balance of power as the season draws to a close.

Atlético Madrid Team News

Atlético are set to be without a number of key names with Memphis Depay, Marcos Paulo and Thomas Lemar all out with injury, and potentially unavailable for the remainder of the campaign.

Marcos Llorente, however, is available once again after serving a suspension and will likely return to the starting lineup here, while Reinildo Mandava will compete with César Azpilicueta to start at left wing-back.

Athletic Club Team News

Athletic Club are doing very well on the injury front, with all of their most important players fit and available for selection.

They could make a couple of changes for this one following the game with Granada at the weekend, with Iñigo Lekue and Mikel Vesga hoping for opportunities to play in the starting lineup.

Atlético Madrid are coming into this game amidst a mixed run of form having won three and lost two of their last five games. Their most recent game was a very damning 2-0 defeat away at Deportivo Alaves in what was a pretty sorry result and performance from Diego Simeone's men.

That game followed an unfortunate 4-2 defeat in Germany at the hands of Borussia Dortmund, where despite pulling the game back to 2-2 through a Mats Hummels own goal and a goal from Ángel Correa after falling 2-0 down, they were eventually downed 4-2 by the German side and knocked out of the Champions League.

Prior to that, Atléti recorded a 3-1 win over Girona, courtesy of Antoine Griezmann (X2) and Correa, which followed a 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund, a 2-1 win away at Villarreal and a 0-3 loss to Barcelona, with goals against Dortmund and Villarreal coming from Rodrigo De Paul, Samuel Lino, Axel Witsel and Saúl.

On home soil, Atlético have won four of their last five matches.

Athletic’s form has dropped a little bit of late as Ernesto Valverde’s side come into this one having won one, drawn three (in 90 minutes) and lost one of their last five games. Their latest outing saw them held to a 1-1 draw against Granada where Gorka Guruzeta’s 24th-minute equaliser was only enough for a point, meaning they registered a second straight draw after previously sharing the spoils with Villarreal in their prior game where Oihan Sancet’s goal was cancelled out by an injury-time penalty for Villarreal.

Prior to that came the Copa del Rey final win over Mallorca, which was a 1-1 draw ultimately decided by penalties, with Oihan Sancet grabbing the goal, which followed a 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid and a 2-0 win over Deportivo Alaves.

Athletic have been up and down away from home recently, as they enter this game with two wins, one draw and two losses from their last five games on the road.

Athletic Club’s form has tailed off in recent games and given how strong Atlético are on home soil we fancy them to get the job done here, despite the fact they're coming off the back of two losses. It should be a competitive game, but Atlético’s firepower and superior individual quality should see them over the line. Atlético Madrid 2-1 Athletic Club.

Atletico Madrid vs. Athletic Bilbao will be available to watch on the Peacock Network (An NBC live-streaming Platform)