Ath Bilbao vs Atl. Madrid prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2022-10-14 19:00.
A spirited draw at Sevilla was enough to keep Athletic Bilbao in the top three, as their hopes for a first podium finish in La Liga (LL) since 1998 continue to shine. However, this clash against fellow top-four opposition provides a true acid test, even with the Basque hosts shutting out their next opponents Atlético Madrid in both league H2Hs last season.
Albeit against weaker opposition than AtlĂ©tico, Athletic's haul of 3+ goals per game across their last four wins shows real potency. The two home victories amongst those saw both of the Williams siblings score, with elder brother Iñaki netting Athletic's first goal of the day each time, contributing to a 100% record from the clubâs last eight LL home games led at half-time.
Finishing above Athletic in each of the previous 11 seasons, Atlético will leapfrog them with a victory, as they look to bounce back from a disappointing draw with Club Brugge in midweek. While the odds are still marginally against them, a six-game unbeaten LL away run is difficult to ignore (W5, D1), especially with all of those matches seeing the Rojiblancos strike first.
Visiting boss Diego Simeone is no stranger to clashes with the Basque side. And he often thrives, as of the five teams he has faced 25 or more times in the AtlĂ©tico hotseat, it is against Athletic that he boasts the highest win-rate (64%). Whatâs more, only Getafe have fallen to the Argentine coach on more occasions (19) than Athletic.
Players to watch: Oihan Sancet has scored inside the opening half-hour in each of Athletic's last three victories, but Ăngel Correa may steal his thunder, having hit a double in AtlĂ©ticoâs last league outing (5â, 48â). In turn, two of his three prior goals this term have arrived inside the first ten minutes.
Hot streak: None of the last 16 H2Hs have separated these sides by more than two goals.