La Liga: Los Rojiblancos Need to Tame the Lions

Atletico Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao

A trip back to the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium may be what Los Rojiblancos need after a disappointing turn of events in the last time out.

As a build up to this upcoming La Liga fixture, Atletico Madrid were booted out of the second round of the Copa del Rey by UE Cornella as they couldn’t get it going on the attack last Wednesday night.

Diego Simeone would surely want a bounce back performance from his boys after that uncharacteristic outcome as they host Athletic Bilbao this weekend.

In the updated Spanish top-flight standings, Diego Simeone’s men still own the top spot with 38 points and with at least two games at hand. However, their rivals in Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Real Sociedad are lurking right behind them.

Los Blancos are the closest ones behind Atleti as the latter only hold a two-point advantage over them.

On the other hand, their visitors in Athletic Bilbao are sitting at ninth place with 21 points. They are fresh from a tough loss against FC Barcelona the other day.

As always here at SBOTOP, let us take a look at both of these teams via this match preview.

Talking Points

Atletico Madrid dealing with losses on and off the pitch

With their rivals breathing down on their necks, Atletico Madrid’s margin of error has gotten significantly smaller.

Although they have a two-point lead with a few games in hand, another loss on Saturday might see themselves crashing down to the second spot behind defending champions Real Madrid.

Diego Simeone’s men were in imperious form in their last four league games, winning four straight. However, their momentum was halted when they lost to a Segunda Division side in UD Cornella.

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Atleti had zero shots on target that day and they were reduced to 10 men when Ricard Sanchez Sendra was sent off during the 63^rd minute.

Certainly, adding another good player via this transfer window would bolster this squad as the fixtures will come in thick and fast.

Veteran forward Diego Costa may have already left the club, but the good thing is they have already identified his replacement.

Diario AS has reported that Real Sociedad winger Willian Jose is their most realistic option and his addition will surely help Luis Suarez and Joao Felix create more La Liga 2021 highlights.

Another target for them is Arkadiusz Milik of Napoli. But like Willian Jose, neither side has yet to agree to a tangible deal.

How will Marcelino fare in Athletic Bilbao?

Marcelino will have his second crack at coaching Los Leones in this trip versus Atletico Madrid on the weekend.

The 55-year-old coach was brought in to replace Gaizka Garitano after their loss against Real Sociedad via an 18-month deal with an option to extend beyond the 2022/23 season.

Inaki Williams celebrates his great individual effort against Barcelona during their La Liga clash — Athletic Bilbao’s Inaki Williams celebrates scoring their first goal vs FC Barcelona

Prior to this, Marcelino had nomadic spells in coaching several Spanish clubs – including Recreativo de Huelva, Racing Santander, Sevilla, Villarreal, and Valencia.

In his first game at the helm against Barcelona, Marcelino had already shown glimpses on the brand of football he wants to implement.

Inaki Williams was the beneficiary of their retooled tactics as the speedy forward scored just within the first three minutes, and Iker Munlain followed it up with one of his own late.

Although it wasn’t enough to defeat the Catalan giants, it was an encouraging sign nonetheless for a club that is looking to shift their style of play.

History

The matchup between Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao has been lopsided so far.

In their 41 fixtures together, Atletico Madrid have won in 24 matches, while Athletic Bilbao won 11 times along with six draws.

They last faced each other in June in a heated 1-1 affair as Iker Munlain and Diego Costa exchanged goals within just three minutes.

Prior to that, Diego Simeone’s side has won five of their last six fixtures against Los Leones.

Betting Tip

	Atletico Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao	Atletico Madrid Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 2.04
	January 09, 23:15 (GMT+8)

The latest La Liga 2021 odds heavily favour an Atletico Madrid victory for this weekend’s fixture.

Los Rojiblancos are priced at 1.54 to win, while Athletic Bilbao are pegged at 6.20 and a draw is at 3.85 in the 1×2 market.

With these two teams known for their defensive-minded brand of football, it will be hard to envision a goal-fest on this one. So you may opt to go for Under 2.50 @ 1.92 or even Total Goals 2-3 @ 2.13 if one of them gets hot early.

Athletic Bilbao are uniquely qualified to make the La Liga table leaders uncomfortable because of their personnel.

But in the end, I see Los Rojiblancos winning this game down the stretch to extend their win streak to five league games.