La Liga preview and odds: Atletico Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao

Published on: 12/12/2015

La Liga preview and odds: Atletico Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao

December 13, 2015 17:15am - Vicente Calderon

La Liga

Atletico Madrid be looking to extend their unbeaten league run to nine games on Saturday when they welcome seventh-ranked Athletic Club to the Vicente Calderon in La Liga.

Atletico top of the form table

Atletico Madrid have won their last four league games in a row and are unbeaten in eight heading into this weekends clash with their opponents from the Basque Country. In all competitions, the capital club have won seven in a row and are unbeaten in 13. As a result of their recent form, Diego Simeones men are now just two points behind league leaders Barcelona and two points ahead of their arch rivals from Madrid.

They come into this game the back of a trio of away wins against Benfica (Champions League), Granada (La Liga) and Reus (Copa del Rey). Athletic improving after slow start

Athletic Club are also in good form having lost just one of their last 13 games in all competitions. In La Liga, they have lost just one of their last nine and as a result, they have risen to seventh place in the table, just four points shy of the Champions League places.

In their last game, Ernesto Valverdes men were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Malaga. Away from home, they have lost just one of their last five.

Team news

Jackson Martinez is back in training for the home side but Jose Maria Gimenez is still out injured. Thiago is not expected to play until March at the earliest after suffering a leg fracture back in November.

Meanwhile, the visitors will be without the suspended duo of Aymeric Laporte and Mikel San Jose. Valverde also several injury issues with Iker Muniain, Inigo Lekue and Iraizoz all out, and Ibai Gomez and Jonas Ramalho doubtful.

Recent form (League)

Atletico Madrid: WWWWDD

Athletic Bilbao: DWLWW

Betting odds and tips

It is hard to look beyond the home side in this game. Only Barcelona have beaten them on home soil this season and they have only conceded two goals in their last five league games at the the Vicente Calderon. Atletico can be backed at 5/4 to Win to Nil with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 12/12/2015

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (12/12/2015 14:36:56) but are subject to change.