Atletico Madrid vs. Athletic Bilbao: Team News, Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info

It’s the clash of the two most famous set of red-and-white stripes in Spain, and Saturday evening’s visit of Athletic Bilbao will provide Atletico Madrid with one of their tougher recent tests as they bid to prolong their 13-match unbeaten run.

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They’ve won their last seven in a row, too, and will be welcoming an Athletic outfit who have won just one of the last 10 against them in league and cup, losing eight of those clashes.

There are plenty of reasons for Diego Simeone’s side to feel confident then, and with the chance to keep up the pace with Barcelona ahead of the Catalan giants’ trip to the Club World Cup, the hosts should have no little motivation as the Basques come calling to the capital.

Date: Sunday, December 13

Time: 5.15 p.m. GMT/12.15 ET

Venue: Estadio Vicente Calderon, Madrid

TV Info: Sky Sports 4

Live Stream: Sky Sports

Last 6 Results

Atletico Madrid

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Won 1-0 vs. Real Betis (Away)

Won 2-0 vs. Galatasaray (Home)

Won 1-0 vs. Espanyol (Home)

Won 2-1 vs. Reus Deportiu (Away)

Won 2-0 vs. Granada (Away)

Won 2-1 vs. Benfica (Away)

Athletic Bilbao

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Lost 2-0 vs. Granada (Away)

Won 3-2 vs. Augsburg (Away)

Won 3-0 vs. Rayo Vallecano (Away)

Won 2-0 vs. Linense (Away)

Drew 0-0 vs. Malaga (Home)

Drew 2-2 vs. AZ Alkmaar (Home)

Team News & Predicted Lineups

Atletico Madrid

Fernando Torres, Oliver Torres and Jose Gimenez all came off the bench in the second half of the Champions League win at Benfica, and all three will be targeting starts here,

However, Luciano Vietto’s goal in Portugal could just keep him ahead of the elder Torres in a battle for a starting berth, whilst Jackson Martinez and Tiago are both still out injured.

Saul Niguez, another scorer in Lisbon, will hope to hold on to his starting place.

Possible lineup: Oblak, Juanfran, Gimenez, Godin, Filipe Luis, Gabi, Saul, Koke, Oliver Torres, Griezmann, Vietto.

Athletic Bilbao

With qualification for the last 32 already secured, Athletic boss Ernesto Valverde rested a host of players for Thursday night’s Europa League draw with Dutch club AZ Alkmaar at the San Mames, meaning that the team he names is likely to look more like the lineup that disappointingly drew 0-0 at home to Malaga last time out.

One man who definitely won’t play, though, is the suspended Mikel San Jose whose red card just 19 minutes into that Malaga clash cost Bilbao dearly but who scored a penalty against AZ.

Javier Eraso could come in for him, whilst Ibai Gomez and Iker Munain are both out injured.

Possible lineup: Iraizoz, De Marcos, Gurpegi, Etxeita, Balenziaga, Benat, Eraso, Susaeta, Raul Garcia, Inaki Williams, Aduriz.

Key Players

Atletico Madrid: Antoine Griezmann

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He was given the luxury of a break in the closing seconds of the win in Lisbon, and Simeone will want Antoine Griezmann fresh and firing for this clash following four goals in his last four games.

The French forward is fast on the way to becoming his country’s main man at Euro 2016, and having scored the winner in his last two La Liga appearances at the Calderon, he’ll again be crucial for the hosts.

Athletic Bilbao: Inaki Williams

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Hampered by the early loss of San Jose and having to play in a side with 10 men, Inaki Williams cut a frustrated figure throughout the draw with Malaga last weekend.

With six goals so far this season, though, the 21-year-old is certainly going places, and he’ll see an impact against one of the top sides in the division as the next logical step in a burgeoning career.

Odds (via Odds Shark)

Atletico Madrid 1/2

Athletic Bilbao 6/1

Draw 3/1