Key Facts
- Atlético travels to Bilbao in third place, four points ahead of Athletic, which sits in 13th place after a difficult start.
- Bilbao won 2-0 at Celta Vigo; Álex Berenguer and Robert Navarro scored, while Terzic’s pressing approach stabilized the team before halftime.
- Álex Baena made his mark in Atlético’s 3-1 win over Sevilla as a false nine with two goals, highlighting the greater technical versatility of the offense.
- The absence of center back Unai Egiluz weakens Athletic against Atlético’s attack, while Julián Alvarez could return after completing training.
- The pick for an Atlético away win is based on their sharper offensive start and their convincing 3-1 victory over Sevilla.
- Over 2.5 goals remains an attractive bet despite moderate risk, as Atlético’s recent results demonstrate offensive quality and Athletic’s defense—without Egiluz—shows vulnerabilities.
Match Preview
The 2-0 win at Celta Vigo has noticeably lifted Bilbao’s spirits ahead of Saturday’s La Liga regular-season match against Atlético. After two early setbacks, Edin Terzic’s team showed discipline, while Diego Simeone arrives with a team that has started strongly and sits third in the standings, four points ahead of Athletic in 13th place. The last matchup in April 2026 ended 2–3 from Athletic’s perspective.
- Date and time: September 5, 2026, 4:15 p.m.
- Competition: La Liga (Matchday 4)
The betting market sees Atlético as a slight away favorite. The margin is moderate, and a draw is certainly a possibility, but Atlético’s sharper offensive start points toward a victory for them. Álex Baena contributed as a false nine in the 3–1 win over Sevilla, while Athletic’s only home league game ended in a 1–3 loss.
Bilbao Form & Record Check
Bilbao’s 2–0 win at Celta Vigo showcased Terzic’s approach in a much more convincing manner. Álex Berenguer scored first, Robert Navarro added another, and the team’s pressing gave them a solid foundation before halftime. Oihan Sancet, Iñaki Williams, and Unai Simón are the only players who have started all three league matches, while Terzic has otherwise rotated the lineup extensively.
Atletico Form & Record Check
Atlético played with purpose in the first half of their 3-1 win over Sevilla. Álex Baena scored twice, Ademola Lookman also found the net, while Kang-in Lee, Pablo Barrios, and Marcos Llorente provided the assists. Simeone nevertheless noted a drop in energy after halftime—a detail that Bilbao intends to exploit with high intensity.
Julián Alvarez has returned to full training and could see action, while Jonathan David offers another option for the offense following his signing. The new signings have added more technical variety, but the challenge lies in maintaining the intensity from the Sevilla match throughout the entire game.
Bilbao vs. Atlético Head-to-Head & Statistics
Atlético has also won four of the last five meetings, but Bilbao’s 1-0 league victory in December 2025 shows just how close these matches can be.
Recent matches have often started cautiously. In each of the past four matchups, fewer than 1.5 goals were scored before halftime, but the second halves of the last six matches have seen more than 2.5 goals. In April 2026, Bilbao lost 2–3, while the 2024 Copa del Rey semifinal went to Bilbao with 1–0 and 3–0 victories.
