Ath Bilbao vs Atl. Madrid prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-08-30 17:00.
[p]After failing to win their opening two league games of a campaign for the first time since 2021, Athletic Bilbao got off the mark with a hard-fought 1-0 triumph over Valencia in midweek (W1, D1, L1). That’s good news as they look to better their highly impressive fifth-place finish from last season, although they can finally play without the distraction of the transfer rumour mill as the window proverbially slams shut on Friday evening. [/p]
[p]The challenge of AtlĂ©tico Madrid is enough to strike fear into the hearts of most in Spain, but Athletic enter this encounter with a psychological edge, having won four of the last five home H2Hs, with the last three victories coming without reply. The last three of those matches added to Ernesto Valverde’s wealth of experience against this opposition, as he has faced just four sides more often than the capital club across his career (W11, D6, L15). And the first goal in recent times has proved crucial, as five of the last six games in the 60-year-old’s history of facing AtlĂ©tico saw just one side score.[/p]
[p]By contrast, Atleti have begun their league season solidly, netting five times across their three league outings while having kept back-to-back clean sheets ahead of this weekend (W1, D2). Turning draws into wins will be crucial, however, if they’re to upset those at the top of La Liga, although they have had a summer of upheaval, with big-name signings Conor Gallagher and Julián Alvarez yet to announce themselves with a goal.[/p]
[p]Playing away from home shouldn’t faze Diego Simeone’s men too much after they extended their purple patch on the road to four league games by avoiding defeat at Villarreal (W3, D1). Simeone also knows this opposition all too well, having managed against only Barcelona and Real Madrid more often than his 31 H2Hs against Athletic (W19, D4, L8), although five of those eight losses have come during the last eight such meetings (W3, L5)![/p]
[p]Players to watch: Athletic midfielder Beñat Prados scored his team’s first winner of the season in midweek, but has been booked in two of their three games in 2024/25 and saw yellow in a cup clash against Atleti last term. Atlético captain Koke loves facing Athletic, having assisted more goals against them than any other side in his career (GP29: A9). [/p]
[p]Hot streak: Athletic are winless in their last ten league games as pre-match betting outsiders (D3, L7). [/p]
[p][i]Written by Matthew Billon[/i][/p]