La Liga: Sunday Teatime Awaits in the Capital

Atletico Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao

Fourth versus seventh takes centre stage in La Liga on Sunday teatime.

The hosts are the 2021 champions, not in the title race this time but certainly too consistent to miss out on a place in the top four and qualification for the Champions League where they have been regulars, including finalists twice, since Diego Simeone took charge over a decade ago.

The visitors, meanwhile, are the side leading the chase for a top six spot which guarantees a European berth.

Both have enjoyed better days but also continue to show glimpses of more promising days ahead.

That could make this encounter engaging.

Talking Points

Whenever I think of Bilbao, I think of Howard Kendall becoming their boss in 1987 after he had guided Everton to the league title.

I then think of the Bilbao side that really impressed me en route to the 2012 Europa League Final against their opponents this weekend.

Then the team contained the likes of Iker Muniain, Ander Herrera (now back at the club), Javi Martínez, Óscar de Marcos and Fernando Llorente, all under the astute management of Marcelo Bielsa.

Ten years on, they are aiming for their highest league finish since 2015 when they were fourth.

While few are expecting them to reach those heights this season, create winning La Liga highlights this weekend will see them close the gap on Atletico to just three points.

Fresh from scoring the first hat-trick of the La Liga campaign and another goal in the win at Valencia, the danger man for the visitors could well be Oihan Sancet, their stand-out player this term.

Still only 22, he already has made 101 appearances for the club, including all 20 of the Basque club’s league matches to date.

Born in Pamplona, Sancet moved to Bilbao in 2015 to join Athletic’s prestigious academy at Lezama and has been one of the most promising players on the club’s books ever since.

His recent treble at home to Cadiz made him the youngest Athletic Club player to bag a hat-trick since Julen Guerrero did so aged 20 in 1994.

Sancet will likely feature in a three-pronged attack with Inaki Williams and Nico Williams.

Yuri Berchiche is available again this weekend after returning from suspension, but there is no change to their injury situation with Herrera and Inigo Martinez both out.

Sought-after defender Martinez appears certain to move on when his contract expires at the end of the season, and although Barcelona are reportedly in pole position to win his signature, don’t bet against Atletico stepping in too.

Atletico Madrid, who kept up their Champions League qualification push with a last gasp 1-0 win at Celta Vigo last weekend, have no injury absences of their own.

However, they will be without the services of Stefan Savic, who is suspended following his red card last time out.

That could mean a recall for Jose Gimenez.

Against Vigo, January signing Memphis Depay came off the bench to net his first goal since joining Los Rojiblancos and, with Depay and Alvaro Morata in attack, Simeone’s team can pose a danger to any team.

History

These clubs have met 33 times before and Atletico have a distinctive edge with 20 victories to Bilbao’s nine successes and four draws.

This corresponding fixture last season was actually goalless and Bilbao actually won the return game in the Basque country 2-0 last April when an early own goal was added to by a penalty from Williams – the Basque ‘iron man’.

Earlier this season, Atletico won the game in San Mames, thanks to a 47^th minute Antoine Griezmann goal.

It’s January 2011 since Bilbao last beat Atletico on their own turf.

On that occasion, a 2-0 triumph was secured by a brace from Gaizka Toquero.

Their most prominent match up to date was in the 2012 Europa League Final when Atletico ran out comprehensive 3-0 winners, with two dangerous marksmen netting the goals – Radamel Falcao and Diego Forlan.

Betting Tip

The home team are clear favourites and are on offer to back 1X2 @ 2.14 and Asian Handicap –0.75 @ 2.49.

Bilbao, meanwhile, are priced 1X2 @ 3.40 and Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 2.13.

A draw, just like the fixture ended last season, will pay out @ 3.25.

Another 1-0 Atletico success will earn you a pay day of @ 5.40 with Correct Score, while goal options include over 2.25 @ 2.13, total goal 0-1 @ 2.54, 2-3 @ 1.92 and 4-6 @ 4.90. My xx tip with the SBOTOP La Liga betting odds is for Atletico to edge this 1X2 @ 2.08

 

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