Atletico Madrid – Athletic Bilbao: Pressure builds at the Metropolitano 
A nasty night is brewing for Atletico ahead of Saturday’s showdown. Atletico Madrid host Athletic Bilbao in what could be a tense, heavy atmosphere. Let’s be honest, seeing Atletico struggle this badly in the league is almost unheard of under Simeone. Athletic Bilbao arrive determined to take advantage of the mess and grab valuable points in the race for Europe. This has all the makings of a proper scrap on the pitch.
Atletico Madrid are in the mud 
Right now, Atletico Madrid’s form is hard to watch. Four straight blows in La Liga is a grim return for a club of this size. Atletico look like they’ve lost the edge that used to define them. Even on Wednesday night, they left their fans frustrated. There is a clear sense they may already have one eye on Tuesday’s semi-final against Arsenal.
Still, Atletico need to sort things out at home. Their supporters want a proper response, not another slide into full-blown crisis. Diego Simeone will have to rattle a few cages because Atletico are playing with their reputation on the line this weekend. Another slip and confidence would be in the gutter before the European date with Arsenal. They need a wake-up call, and quickly.
Athletic Bilbao want their slice of the pie 
It is the opposite story for Athletic Bilbao, who arrive full of belief. Their latest win has given the squad a huge lift, and they are now seriously eyeing a place in the top six. Ernesto Valverde has done his homework and knows Bilbao can hurt a Madrid defence that is wobbling. They already showed in the first meeting that they know how to handle this rival. Athletic will lean on their usual intensity to disrupt the home side’s plans.
Even if Bilbao are not always at their best away from San Mames, this is the kind of set-up they will like. They should stay compact and strike when the chance comes. For Bilbao’s players, coming away with a result in Madrid would rubber-stamp an already strong season. They will look to rattle their opponents and leave with something. Keep a close eye on Bilbao’s pace men, who could cause real damage in behind. They are not here to make up the numbers.
Likely line-ups
Atletico Madrid : Oblak ; Molina, Pubill, Lenglet, Ruggeri ; Koke, Llorente ; Simeone, Griezmann, Gonzalez ; Alvarez
Athletic Bilbao : Simon ; Gorosabel, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche ; Ruiz de Galarreta, Rego ; I Williams, Sancet, N Williams ; Guruzeta
Football prediction Atletico Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao or draw
Given Atletico’s current mess, it’s hard to see them blowing Bilbao away on Saturday. Atletico may be on the pitch, but their heads could already be in London or fixed on Arsenal. Bilbao, by contrast, are hungry and will scrap for every ball to stay in the European hunt. A draw or a narrow Bilbao win looks the likelier outcome on the balance of the two sides.
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