As Matchday 4 of the 2024-25 La Liga season unfolds, an exciting clash is set to take place at San Mames, where Athletic Bilbao will host Atlético Madrid on August 31, 2024.
Both teams are eager to solidify their positions early in the campaign, with Atlético Madrid seeking to maintain their unbeaten start while Athletic Bilbao aims to build on their recent victory.
Match Preview
Athletic Bilbao comes into this match with renewed confidence after securing their first win of the season, a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Valencia.
The Basque side demonstrated impressive defensive organization, limiting Valencia to just two shots and none on target, showcasing their resilience at home.
Prior to this win, Athletic had a mixed start to the season, drawing 1-1 against Getafe and losing 2-1 to Barcelona.
With only one defeat in their last 19 home league matches, Athletic will be keen to capitalize on their home advantage and continue their positive momentum.
On the other hand, Atlético Madrid, managed by Diego Simeone, remains unbeaten this season but has struggled to convert possession into goals.
Their latest outing ended in a goalless draw against Espanyol, despite dominating possession with 63% and registering 25 attempts on goal.
So far, Atlético has accumulated five points from three matches, drawing 2-2 against Villarreal in their opener before claiming a convincing 3-0 victory over Girona.
However, their away form has been a concern, as they recorded a mixed bag of results on the road last season.
Head to Head
Recent encounters between these two sides have been closely contested, with neither team able to assert dominance.
In the last seven La Liga meetings, both teams have won three times, indicating a balanced rivalry.
Atlético Madrid has had the upper hand in the last five encounters, winning three matches, while Athletic Bilbao has claimed two victories.
The most recent clash saw Atlético triumph with a 3-1 victory, which could provide them with added confidence heading into this match.
Interestingly, five of the last six league meetings have featured under 2.5 goals, suggesting a trend towards low-scoring affairs.
Team News
Athletic Bilbao will be missing several key players due to injuries, including goalkeeper Unai Simon (wrist), midfielder Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta (calf), Aitor Parades (muscle), and defender Yuri Berchiche (shoulder).
These absences will test the squad’s depth as they aim to secure another positive result.
For Atlético Madrid, the only notable injury concern is French midfielder Thomas Lemar, who has yet to feature this season due to ongoing issues.
Simeone will likely rely on his experienced squad to navigate this tough away fixture and maintain their unbeaten run.
Prediction
Considering both teams’ recent performances and the historical context of their encounters, we predict a closely fought match that is likely to end in a low-scoring draw.
With both defenses showing signs of solidity, it is plausible that neither team will be able to find the back of the net frequently.
- Score Prediction: Athletic Bilbao 0-0 Atlético Madrid
Betting Tips
Draw: Betting on the match ending in a draw is a sensible option given the competitive nature of the fixture.
Under 2.5 Goals: Given the previous meetings and both teams’ defensive strengths, a bet on under 2.5 total goals is advisable.
Both Teams to Score – No: Placing a bet on both teams not scoring could provide good returns, especially considering recent trends.
First Half Draw: With both teams likely to start cautiously, betting on a draw at halftime could be a wise choice.
