Atletico Madrid will host Athletic Bilbao at the Metropolitano Stadium on Sunday at 17:30 GMT.
While Atletico will be looking to stay inside the top four, Athletic will seek to cut the gap to fourth and bolster their chances of making it into the Champions League next season.
Key Highlights
Atletico’s Return to Form
Diego Simeone’s men have collected 11 points from their last 15 available in the league. They have won three times and had two draws in their last five outings in La Liga.
This turn in form has seen Atletico Madrid climb the table into fourth and open up a four-point gap to 5th-placed Real Betis. Simeone will be looking to maintain this run of form as he focuses on clinching a top-four spot for his side in next season’s Champions League competition.
They will be looking to extend this good run of form when they host Athletic Bilbao at the Metropolitano on Sunday.
Athletic Bilbao Winning Run
Bilbao’s top-four chances took a hit when they suffered three consecutive defeats in the league. However, they have bounced back with two consecutive wins in the league. This has seen a renaissance in form, ensuring that the Sunday match will be keenly contested.
Athletic are 6 points behind Atletico, and they will be looking to get the three points to cut the gap to just three points – within striking distance in the race for the top four.
Injury Report
Atlético Madrid
Diego Simeone has all his players fit and available for selection except Stefan Savic, suspended for the match against Athletic on Sunday. The 32-year-old center-back received a red card in the narrow 0-1 win for Atletico at Celta Vigo.
The team news will boost Simeone as he seeks to recapture Atletico’s form in La Liga and enhance their top-fur chances in the second half of the season.
Athletic Bilbao
Bilbao will be without center-back Iñigo Martínez, who is nursing a foot injury. The 31-year-old has been sidelined since January 2nd, 2023; he has missed 9 matches so far for Athletic, and no date has been set for his return to fitness. This indicates that he is not available for selection in the clash against Atletico.
Athletic will also be without central midfielder Ander Herrera; the 33-year-old is nursing a hamstring injury since February 10th, 2023. He has missed 1 match and is likely to sit out his side’s trip to the Metropolitano to face Atletico Madrid.
Possible Lineups
Atlético Madrid
J. Oblak; R. Mandava, M. Hermoso, J. M. Gimenez, N. Molina; P. Barrios, Koke, R. De Paul; A. Griezmann, A. Morata, M. Llorente
Athletic Bilbao
U. Simon; I. Lekue, Y. Alvarez, D. Vivian, O. de Marcos; M. Vesga, O. Sancet; Alex Berenguer, I. Muniain, N. Williams; R. Garcia
Prediction
Atletico Madrid are unbeaten in their last five matches; this run of form will be crucial in giving them the momentum and confidence they need in facing the in-form Athletic Bilbao side at the Metropolitano on Sunday.
Diego Simeone will expect his side to be disciplined and compact, but dynamic and mobile when going forward. When out of possession, they will be expected to work at winning it back, and when in possession, they will look to pass quickly to create chances.
After a run of three consecutive defeats in la Liga, Athletic have won twice on the trot. This signifies a change in their form. The players will be confident ahead of their travel to the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday.
Athletic will be robust and compact in their approach but brave when in possession; they will look to progress the ball quickly to create chances.
Atletico Madrid will have too much for Athletic; they will win the match and bolster their top-four chances.
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