Atletico Madrid v Athletic Club Bet Builder Stats & Predictions
Atletico Madrid v Athletic Club
Kick Off: Saturday 1st March
Competition: La Liga
Watch Live: Premier Sports
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A crucial meeting at the top of La Liga sees title chasing Atletico Madrid welcome Athletic Club who are only 5 points behind Diego Simeone’s side and look in a commanding position to secure Champions League football next season. However the main focus is on the La Liga title race, there is only 1 point between Atletico Madrid and the two giants of Spanish football in a title race that looks like it could go right down to the wire.
Match Stats: A tight game in store
There is very little to separate these sides coming into this game, both are unbeaten across their last 5 games across all competitions and were only separated by a 92nd-minute winner by Correa in the initial meeting between the sides which was edged out by Atletico Madrid.
Diego Simeone’s side are exactly as you’d expect, dogged and determined in their approach to stifling the opposition sides’ momentum. This is evident in their excellent defensive record at home this season. They’ve only conceded 8 goals across their 13 home games this season, so far avoiding defeat in any of their games on home territory. Interestingly, Athletic Club boast the exact same defensive record which is another indicator that there isn’t much to split these two.
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However, Athletic Club are a little more loose away from home – Ernesto Valverde’s side have only managed to win 5 of their 12 assignments away from home this season and see a decrease in the number of goals scored (26-18) and an increase in the number of goals conceded (8-14). That being said, they’ve only lost 2 of their games on the road this season suggesting that whilst they aren’t as convincing as they are at home, they still remain a stubborn side to beat.
Predictions:
- Match Result: Draw @ 3.30
- Half time score 0-0 @ 2.63
Shot Stats: Alvarez enters this game with momentum
Julian Alvarez has enjoyed a steady first season for Atletico Madrid after joining from Man City last summer. Alvarez has scored 9 goals and provided 2 assists across his 25 appearances in La Liga this season, a record that has improved in recent weeks with 6 goal contributions across his last 5 games in all competitions – including goals against Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Alvarez is averaging 2.63 shots and 1.24 shots on target per 90 in La Liga this season. His shot volume is something he’ll want to increase with the number of opportunities he gets in dangerous positions as a result of playing for one of the best sides in Spain.
Alvarez only had 1 shot in the initial meeting between the sides but this was at the start of the season when he was still adapting to his surroundings. He looks a lot more comfortable in this Atletico Madrid side now and recent form suggests he can be a threat to Athletic Club.
Predictions:
- Julian Alvarez to score/assist @ 2.40
- Alvarez 3+ shots @ 2.10
- Alvarez 1+ shots on target @ 1.57
Card Stats: Lenglet the standout
Clement Lenglet has been shown 7 yellow cards this season, the joint most in the Atletico Madrid squad. This record comes as a result of Lenglet often not having the required speed to deal with some of the more dynamic attackers in Spain’s top flight, which results in him having to make high risk fouls which translate into cautions.
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He’s averaging 1.28 fouls committed per 90 in La Liga this season which is a pretty high average for a centre back and suggests that he does engage with the opposition centre forward. He’ll be up against Maroan Sannadi who has won 6 fouls across just 167 minutes of football in La Liga after joining Athletic Club in the January transfer window.
Predictions:
- Lenglet 1+ fouls committed @ 1.30
- Lenglet 1+ first half fouls committed @ 2.0
- Lenglet to be shown a card @ 3.40
By: @AndysBetClubUK
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Denis Doyle / Getty Images
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