Atlético Madrid are set to host Athletic Bilbao in the fourth round of La Liga, a match following the capital side's 3-1 win over Sevilla. The fixture this weekend pits two teams with contrasting starts to the campaign, as detailed in a preview from Into the Calderon.
What is Atlético Madrid's form ahead of the match?
Diego Simeone's Atlético head into the game boosted by their victory against Sevilla. The Madrid outfit has dominated recent meetings with Athletic, winning six of the last ten clashes. Their most recent encounter in April ended in a 3-1 win for Atlético, with goals from Antoine Griezmann and Alexander Sørloth. For this match, the team welcomes back Julián Álvarez to full training, and he will be in the squad after speculation about his future. The club also strengthened its ranks late in the summer transfer window with the loan signing of Jonathan David from Juventus, making him the fifth new arrival.
What lineup will Simeone field?
The predicted starting XI from Into the Calderon features Jan Oblak in goal. The defence is expected to consist of Marcos Llorente, Arnau Martínez, David Hancko, and Alejandro Grimaldo. The midfield trio would be Giuliano, Pablo Barrios, and Morten Hjulmand, with Ademola Lookman, Kang-in Lee, and Álex Baena leading the attack. This lineup shows the depth available to Simeone, who can count on Marcos Llorente-fresh from retiring from the Spanish national team at age 31 after winning the World Cup in July-as a key figure. Fans can review the full squad composition on our squad page.
What is Athletic Bilbao's current situation?
Athletic Bilbao approach the match with mixed results under head coach Edin Terzić, having secured just one win in their first three games. Heavy defeats to Sevilla and Barcelona, where they conceded five goals combined, stand in contrast to a 2-0 away win at Celta Vigo, where goalkeeper Unai Simón kept a clean sheet. Individual attacking brilliance has come from Álex Berenguer and the Williams brothers, who have been important in creating chances. The Basque team needs to find greater defensive solidity to compete in a venue as demanding as the Metropolitano.
What were the late transfer window moves?
The closure of the transfer window brought activity for both clubs. While Atlético brought in Jonathan David, they also sent defender José María Giménez on loan to Deportivo La Coruña. These moves shape the squads that will face off in this fourth matchday. To track both teams' progress in the table, supporters can visit our standings section.
The Atlético Madrid versus Athletic Bilbao clash is a significant early-season fixture in La Liga. The home side aims for a second consecutive victory, while the visitors seek to correct their course away from San Mamés. Athletic's next assignment after this match is another away fixture, as listed on our fixtures calendar.
