Atletico Madrid will host Athletic Club on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano, as they face off in what promises to be an electrifying clash between two top-four La Liga contenders. Currently, Atletico finds itself sitting third with 53 points after 25 matches, closely followed by the fourth-placed Athletic who has amassed 48 points this season.
The match carries significant weight for both teams, as Atletico looks to solidify its position among the league leaders, trailing only one point behind Barcelona. With the title race heating up, every point gained or dropped will be pivotal. Notably, Atletico is the only unbeaten team at home this season, boasting 9 wins and 4 draws at the Metropolitano, where they have the advantage of playing on familiar turf.
Diego Simeone's side has been impressive at home, scoring 42 goals and conceding just 16 throughout the season. Their recent form includes drawing 1-1 with Celta Vigo, winning 3-0 against Valencia, and the thrilling 4-4 draw against Barcelona. The latter match showcased Atletico's attacking prowess but also exposed some defensive frailties, indicating their absolute need to tighten their defenses against Athletic Club's potent attack.
On the opposing side, Athletic Club is experiencing one of its best seasons under the management of Ernesto Valverde, currently enjoying an unbeaten run of 16 games, with 9 wins and 7 draws. Their recent form includes an impressive 7-1 demolition against Real Valladolid and winning 3-0 against Girona. This surge has catapulted them firmly within the battle for European spots. Athletic's goal-scoring tally currently stands at 44, with their defense conceding 22, emphasizing their remarkable balance.
Remarkably, Athletic Club has not achieved victory away against Atletico Madrid since January 2011, with their last 13 attempts ending without success. This historical backdrop highlights the challenge they face, but the recent resilience shown by the Basque side could put them on course for perhaps their best chance yet to overturn this dismal record.
For Athletic, key player Oihan Sancet, the club's top scorer this season with 13 goals, may miss the match due to injury. This absence could be significant, especially with Sancet’s recent form, netting six times over his last four matches. Conversely, players like Iñaki Williams and Alex Berenguer will be expected to step up, providing support to carry the attacking burden should Sancet be sidelined.
Atletico’s lineup will see some changes too, with Koke and Cesar Azpilicueta both missing due to injuries. Returning from suspension, Pablo Barrios may find himself back on the pitch. Atletico's attacking threats are led by Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez, both having notable scoring records this season. The combined pressure from these key players will be instrumental as they look to penetrate Athletic’s solid defensive setup.
The statistical data surrounding both teams tells its own story; with Atletico securing the advantage at home historically, yet Athletic's current form suggests they are more than capable of causing an upset. The pressing question remains—can Athletic finally break their winless streak against Atletico at the Metropolitano? With this backdrop, the game is lined up for both teams exhibiting resilience and ambition.
All signs point to this being a competitive fixture; betting odds reflect this with predictions hovering around the potential for numerous goals, yet history suggests it could be possibly lower scoring, considering previous encounters. Analysts are forecasting the possibility of another tight affair, with under 2.5 goals touted as a potential outcome based on recent head-to-head statistics.
The match kicks off at 21:00 (CET) and fans worldwide can catch the action live on platforms including Movistar LaLiga TV. It is set to be not just another fixture, but potentially pivotal for both sides’ aspirations this season.