Atletico Madrid v Athletic Club – Betting Preview
Atletico Madrid Summary
Atletico Madrid’s league form has improved and the team is looking sharper in attack with a more ambitious approach.
They have got back-to-back hard-earned but vintage Atletico-style wins in recent games against Osasuna and last weekend, Celta Vigo.
The draw at home to Getafe which was the meat in the sandwich of those ugly wins was extremely unlucky on them as they merited more. So the confidence and mood continue to rise and this is a massively important game for the top four.
As Real Betis squeezed a win on Saturday, the Andulsians are now lipping the heels of Atletico in the last UCL spot and so a win here is vital. Adding to the importance of the match, if the Basques win then the difference is cut down to just 3 points between them.
Team news is reasonably positive with all available but for Savic.
Simeone is set to use an attacking side, using a 4-4-2 for the match with Athletic Bilbao. They are expected to bench Morata and had a start to Correra alongside Griezmann.
Athletic Summary
Athletic Club has got right back to their best form this month and spirits are improved as a result.
The Basques earned back-to-back much-needed boosts with the 4-1 win at home to Cadiz being followed up by a smash-and-grab victory down in Valencia last weekend.
The Top four of La Liga 2022/23 started to become a more distant aim for Athletic Bilbao until the last two victories. However, they know a win could change that and see them shift just three points off the opponent here if they get the points.
Motivation is high as they have a profound disliking of Madrid clubs as well as the fight to compete in European football at stake.
Team news is excellent for Athletic relative to recent weeks as the star man Inaki Williams is back and considered fit enough to begin in the capital.
Ernesto Valverde remains without former captain Inigo Martinez, and he is joined on the side-lines by the experienced central midfielder Ander Herrera.
Betting Analysis
Looking at the 1×2 market first. Atletico Madrid is the favourite and offered at a just over odds-against price, @ 2.10. The Draw is @ 3.25 while the Basques, who will respect the host but go for the win, is priced @ 3.90.
Moving onto the Asian handicap betting for this contest. Atletico Madrid gives away a standard -0.5 @ 2.06 start to Athletic Club. Simeone normally gets his team will be motivated for this kind of big game and they are the slight preference. Athletic +0.5 is @ 1.81.
Looking at The Under/Over goal betting last of all where the line is well placed at 2.25. No preference here, the Basques will want to frustrate and not give the home fans any reason to get noisy and behind their team. Over 2.25 is @ 2.05 and the Under is @ 1.79.
