Preview: Athletic Bilbao vs. Atletico Madrid - prediction, team news, lineups

San Mames will play host to what could be a cracking contest in Spain's top flight on Sunday afternoon, with fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao welcoming third-placed Atletico Madrid.

Athletic will enter the La Liga match off the back of a 1-1 draw with struggling Granada on Monday, while Atletico were 2-1 winners over basement side Almeria in their last game at this level.

Match preview

© Reuters

Athletic's game against Granada started on Sunday and then finished on Monday, as it was postponed in the 17th minute due to the tragic death of a supporter inside the stadium. At the time, the visitors were 1-0 ahead, with Inaki Williams making the breakthrough in the sixth minute.

The contest resumed in the 18th minute on Monday, and Granada managed to secure a share of the spoils courtesy of an own goal from Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta early in the second period, with the result leaving Ernesto Valverde's side in fifth spot in the table on 29 points.

The Lions are five points behind fourth-placed Barcelona, and also third-placed Atletico, but Diego Simeone's side crucially have a game in hand.

Athletic are actually unbeaten in all competitions since a 1-0 loss to Barcelona in La Liga on October 22, and they have won five of their last seven games during an excellent run, with the Basque outfit looking capable of pushing for a top-four spot in the table this term.

Valverde's side, who finished eighth in La Liga last season, have only lost once at home in the league this term, which proved to be a 2-0 reverse to Real Madrid in their opening match of the campaign.

© Reuters

Atletico, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a 2-0 win over Lazio in the Champions League, which secured their spot in the last-16 stage of the competition as Group E winners.

Simeone's side were also victorious in the league last weekend, narrowly overcoming Almeria, with Alvaro Morata and Angel Correa on the scoresheet in what was an unconvincing performance from the hosts.

The Red and Whites have won 11, drawn one and lost three of their 15 league games this season to collect 34 points, which has left them third in the table, seven points behind the leaders Girona, but they have a game in hand and will believe that a title challenge is possible this term.

Atletico's away form this season has been patchy, though, with all three of their league defeats coming on their travels, going down to Valencia, Las Palmas and Barcelona.

The capital team were victorious in both league games with Athletic last season, recording 1-0 wins home and away, but they suffered a 2-0 defeat to the Lions at San Mames in April 2022, and the home side will have had longer to prepare for what is shaping up to be a fascinating contest.

Team News

© Reuters

Athletic will again be without the services of Mikel Vesga, Malcom Adu, Dani Garcia and Yeray Alvarez for this match, while Ruiz de Galarreta faces a late fitness test on a muscular issue.

Ander Herrera could come into the midfield, but the front four picks itself, with Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet and Nico Williams playing behind Gorka Guruzeta.

The same back four that featured against Granada should also retain their spots, with Oscar de Marcos fit and available despite being withdrawn in the team's 1-1 draw last time out.

As for Atletico, Pablo Barrios, Thomas Lemar and Vitolo remain on the sidelines, but the away side are otherwise in strong shape heading into the contest.

Simeone will need to make a final check on the fitness of those who featured against Lazio, but there were no enforced changes, with Antoine Griezmann and Jose Gimenez both withdrawn at the interval in order to give minutes to Memphis Depay and Caglar Soyuncu.

Alvaro Morata was on the bench in the European fixture but will come back into the XI for this match, while the same can also be said for Koke and Marcos Llorente.

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:

Simon; De Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, Lekue; Herrera, Ruiz de Galarreta; I Williams, Sancet, N Williams; Guruzeta

Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:

Oblak; Witsel, Gimenez, Hermoso; Molina, De Paul, Koke, Llorente, Lino; Morata, Griezmann

We say: Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Atletico Madrid

Only one of the last six La Liga meetings between these two sides have finished level, but we are predicting a stalemate on Saturday. Athletic are strong at home, while Atletico's away form has been patchy, so we are finding it difficult to predict another victory for Simeone's side here.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.