Third-placed Athletic Club and fourth-placed Atletico Madrid will clash on Saturday at the San Mames Barria Stadium at 20:00 GMT as the two sides seek to gain an advantage over the other on the table.
Match Preview
Can Athletic Club Regain their Winning Touch against Atletico?
The San Mames side have been in good form in recent matches as they have surged into La Liga’s top four. They will be looking to continue their good run when they host Atletico, in what is expected to be a tough examination of their credentials.
Ernesto Valverde will be looking for his side to maintain their discipline, composure in possession, and ambition to attack the Atletico defense.
The focus will be on defending well in numbers while retaining their attack threat. Valverde will also look to maintain the dynamism of his midfield to stand a chance of winning the battle in the middle of the pack.
Can Atletico Make it Three Triumphs on the Trot in La Liga with a Win on Saturday?
Atletico are looking to regain the consistency and cutting edge they need to conjure up a title challenge this season. Although they are six points behind league leaders Barcelona, Diego Simeone’s side have a chance to mount a challenge if they are consistent.
They will be up against an in-form Athletic Club side that are looking upwards after a run of four matches without defeat.
Simeone will focus on getting his side to play with respect and pragmatism against dangerous opponents. He will especially emphasize the midfield and defensive structure for his side, as they seek to nullify the threat the San Mames side pose.
Form Guide
Athletic Club
Valverde’s charges have won five times in the opening eight La Liga outings. They have also drawn twice and lost just once. They have collected 17 points out of the available 24.
This run of form means that they currently sit third on the La Liga table, and within the Champions League qualification positions.
Athletic have scored 17 goals and conceded just five. This shows a robust balance between defense and attack that has seen them start this season on a good run.
In the last five matches, Athletic Club have won three times, drawn once, and lost just once. They have collected 10 points and dropped five.
Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone’s side have won five times, drawn once, and lost twice in their first eight fixtures in La Liga.
They have collected 16 points out of the available 24. Atletico are currently sitting fourth on the La Liga table, a point behind their Saturday opponents Athletic Club.
Atletico have scored 14 goals in this run while conceding 7 in the process. Simeone will be focused on optimizing his attack even as he fortifies his defensive structure to make it difficult to concede chances and goals.
Possible Starting Lineups
Athletic Club
Simon; I. Lekue, I. Martinez, Y. Alvarez, O. de Marcos; D. Garcia, O. Sancet; Alex Berenguer, I. Muniain, N. Williams; I. Williams
Atletico Madrid
Oblak; N. Molina, S. Savic, J. Gimenez, R. Mandava, Y. Ferreira Carrasco; A. Correa, Koke, A. Witsel, A. Griezman; M. Cunha
Players to Watch
N. Williams
Nico Williams has scored three goals in eight appearances for Athletic Club this season. His importance to the team is also underlined by the forward’s 2 assists in this duration.
These statistics highlight the dynamism of the forward because he is both a goal threat and a creative force for the San Mames side.
Williams will be crucial for Valverde’s charges as they take on Atletico on Saturday.
A. Correa
Diego Simeone’s side have been adopted a defensive structure this season; they have played with five defensive players in many matches in the league. This has meant that most of their attackers have not received the service they need.
Correa has been a crucial part of the offensive plat of Atletico; this was highlighted by his winning performance in the 2-1 triumph over Girona last weekend when he scored two times.
Correa will be central to Atletico’s hopes of taking something from San Mames.
Prediction
Athletic Club will look to play on the front foot. They will seek to control the ball and create chances through their patient passing.
Atletico Madrid will seek to be pragmatic and pose a threat on the counter. They will look to leverage possession turnover to create chances through fast breaks.
Athletic Club are well-positioned to win this match and take the three points.
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