{"id":80538,"date":"2026-09-04T09:40:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-04T09:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/80538\/"},"modified":"2026-09-04T09:40:00","modified_gmt":"2026-09-04T09:40:00","slug":"preview-athletic-bilbao-vs-atletico-madrid-prediction-team-news-lineups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/spain\/80538\/","title":{"rendered":"Preview: Athletic Bilbao vs Atletico Madrid – prediction, team news, lineups"},"content":{"rendered":"

Atletico Madrid<\/a> will be bidding to move onto 10 points in the La Liga table<\/a> when they continue their campaign away to Athletic Bilbao<\/a> on Saturday afternoon.<\/p>\n

Diego Simeone<\/a>‘s side are currently third in the division, while Athletic have three points to show from their opening three matches, which has left them in 12th position.<\/p>\n

Match preview<\/p>\n

Athletic opened their 2026-27 La Liga campaign with successive defeats to Sevilla and Barcelona, but they did manage to secure all three points against Celta Vigo last time out, recording a 2-0 victory courtesy of goals from Alex Berenguer and Robert Navarro.<\/p>\n

The Lions had a disappointing 2025-26 La Liga season, finishing down in 12th spot in the division, so Edin Terzic<\/a>‘s side will not play in Europe this term.<\/p>\n

The club’s Basque-only policy in the transfer market meant that no new signings arrived during the recent window, but there were a number of departures, including Unai Gomez, Unai Vencedor, Mikel Vesga and Andoni Gorosabel.<\/p>\n

Athletic recorded a 1-0 victory over Atletico in the corresponding match last season, but they have lost four of their last five games with Simeone’s side.<\/p>\n

The last meeting between the two sides took place in the Spanish capital back in April, with Atletico recording a 3-2 victory.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u00a9 Imago \/ Ricardo Larreina Amador<\/p>\n

Atletico opened their 2026-27 La Liga campaign with a 2-0 victory over Malaga, before drawing 2-2 with Villarreal in their first home game of the season.<\/p>\n

Simeone’s side then recorded a 3-1 victory over Sevilla in their last game, with seven points from three matches leaving them in third position in the table.<\/p>\n

The Red and Whites will continue their league season this weekend before heading to England next week for their Champions League league stage opener against Liverpool.<\/p>\n

Atletico made five new signings over the summer, with Morten Hjulmand, Lee Kang-in, Cristian Romero, Alejandro Grimaldo and Jonathan David arriving to boost the squad.<\/p>\n

Simeone’s team also managed to keep hold of Julian Alvarez<\/a> amid strong interest from Barcelona and Arsenal, but it remains to be seen whether the Argentina international is involved here.<\/p>\n

Athletic Bilbao La Liga form:<\/p>\n

Atletico Madrid La Liga form:<\/p>\n

Team News<\/p>\n

\u00a9 Imago \/ AgenciaLOF<\/p>\n

Athletic will be without the services of Unai Egiluz and Peio Canales through injury, while Benat Prados and Dani Vivian are both major doubts.<\/p>\n

Nico Williams is again likely to feature off the bench, as he builds back to full fitness, with Navarro and Berenguer expected to continue in the wide areas.<\/p>\n

Inaki Williams was impressive as the central striker against Celta Vigo, so the 32-year-old should continue through the middle, while Oihan Sancet is likely to feature in the number 10 spot.<\/p>\n

As for Atletico, Alvarez is back in training, and there is every chance that the Argentine will be on the bench for the team’s league game at San Mames.<\/p>\n

Alexander Sorloth remains a doubt through injury, so Alex Baena could be given the nod through the middle following his brace in the success over Sevilla last time out.<\/p>\n

David is in contention to make his debut for the Red and Whites on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:<\/p>\n

Simon; Areso, Paredes, Laporte, Berchiche; Ruiz de Galarreta, Gerenabarrena; Navarro, Sancet, Berenguer; I Williams<\/p>\n

Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:<\/p>\n

Oblak; Llorente, Hancko, Pubill, Grimaldo; Barrios, Hjulmand; Simeone, Kang-in, Lookman; Baena<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

We say: Athletic Bilbao 0-1 Atletico Madrid<\/p>\n


\n\u00a0
\n \n<\/p>\n

Athletic are good enough to make this an uncomfortable match for Atletico, but we are still expecting Simeone’s side to navigate their way to all three points.<\/p>\n

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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