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

Following defeat to Barcelona in the week, new Athletic Bilbao boss Marcelino will continue the tough start to his reign with a trip to the capital on Saturday to face Atletico Madrid.

Top-of-the-table Atletico, who were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by third division minnows UE Cornella this week, will be keen to put their cup woes behind them when they take on their Basque opponents this weekend in La Liga.

Match preview

© Reuters

If statistics are anything to go by, the odds look to be firmly in Atleti's favour, with Diego Simeone having never lost a home game against Athletic Club during his tenure as Atleti boss.

What is even more worrying for Athletic Club is that Simeone's Atleti have actually won eight out of nine of these ties too, keeping five clean sheets along the way.

However, Athletic Club are not a side to be underestimated, and with Marcelino at the helm, Los Leones might just be able to execute the perfect smash-and-grab operation at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano.

After all, Marcelino's men did not exactly roll over when they entertained Barca earlier this week.

In what was a baptism of fire for Marcelino, Athletic Club fought hard against the Catalans, with Inaki Williams opening the scoring in the third minute of the game.

© Reuters

Always an uphill challenge though, they were eventually undone by the La Liga heavyweights, losing the game 3-2.

If Los Leones are to leave the capital with a more positive result, Marcelino will have to address his side's dismal away form.

Athletic Club have only won once on their travels so far this season, picking up just six points from a possible 27.

This will be no easy feat though, as Simeone's men boast the best defence in the league and have 11 clean sheets so far this season, four more than any other club.

Indeed, despite their shock cup exit in midweek, which prompted Simeone to suggest that he may not be at the club next season, Atletico come into this contest in fine league form.

The capital outfit have won 11 of their last 12 La Liga outings, including each of their last four, to surge two points clear of second-placed Real Madrid and seven above third-placed Barcelona, with two games in hand over both sides.

Atletico Madrid La Liga form: WLWWWW
Atletico Madrid form (all competitions): WWWWWL

Athletic Bilbao La Liga form: LWDLWL

Team News

© Reuters

With the level of depth Atleti currently have in the squad, Simeone has often opted to rotate the attacking players in his starting XI and he will undoubtedly tinker with the team again for this tie.

In addition to the injury to the team's pride that was sustained during their defeat to Cornella, defensive stalwart Jose Gimenez also picked up another injury, rendering him unavailable for this game.

Stefan Savic is expected to return to the starting XI after serving his one-game suspension.

Marcelino made a series of changes during his first game in charge, moving Williams from the right into the attack and pushing skipper Iker Muniain out wide.

Oscar de Marcos also moved into a more advanced position on the right-wing.

Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:
Oblak; Savic, Felipe, Hermoso; Vrsaljko, Llorente, Koke, Lemar, Carrasco; Correa, Suarez

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Simon; Capa, Nunez, Martinez, Berchiche; de Marcos, Vencedor, Vesga, Muniain; Garcia, Williams

We say: Atletico Madrid 1-0 Athletic Bilbao

It will be interesting to see whether Marcelino has what it takes to crack Simeone's code, but we do not like his odds. After all, we all know what to expect from Atleti, a defensive masterclass and a Luis Suarez tap-in.

Top betting tip

Previews by email