17 September 2021, 17:50 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
After 38 games and 88 goals, the Spanish La Liga fixture between Atletico Madrid and Athletic Club brings in a new weekend of exciting La Liga football action. Karim Benzema is La Liga's top scorer with 5 goals while Rayo Vallecano's 4-0 win over Granada remains the biggest victory of the league season. Real Madrid sits at the top of the La Liga table in 1st place, while Alaves remains at the bottom. Atletico Madrid vs. Athletic Club kicks off at 15:15 (GMT+1) on Saturday, September 18 at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano.
Preview Atlético Madrid La Liga, Sep 18, 2021
Preview Atletico Madrid will return to La Liga action after the goalless draw against FC Porto in Wednesday's UEFA Champions League opener. On Matchday 4, Atletico Madrid defeated Espanyol de Barcelona 2-1 on the road at Cornellà-El Prat. A fine header from Raul de Tomas (40') put Espanyol in the lead five minutes before the stroke of halftime. But a resilient Yannick Carrasco (79') held off as many as five before picking the bottom corner for the leveler. Late into extra-time, Thomas Lemar (90'+9) completed the come-back with what became the winner. The champions remain unbeaten in four league games: WWDW and have 10 points from 3W, 1D & 0L. An unconventional 3—1—4—2 formation with Luis Suarez and Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco leading the lines is expected on Saturday. Following the recent return of João Félix, Diego Simone will have several attacking options at his disposal. ATM will have a fully fit squad ahead of this Matchday 5 fixture against Athletic Club.
Preview Athletic Club La Liga, Sep 18, 2021
Preview Meanwhile, Athletic Club are holding on to 5th place on the La Liga table. The Bilbao-based side picked up a 2-0 win over Mallorca on Matchday 4 at the San Mamés Barria to keep their unbeaten run intact after four games: 2W, 2D, & 0L (DDWW). Dani Vivian (68') got on the end of a freekick to produce a fine header which had the goalkeeper beaten for the lead. Six minutes later, Inaki Williams (74') produced the second goal of the game for the home side. 2-0! It came to an end at San Mamés Barria. The club has 8 points and a win on Saturday could see Athletic Club in the top three, with the consideration that fourth-placed Real Sociedad have a difficult game against Sevilla while second-placed Valencia take on first-placed Real Madrid. Manager, Marcelino could opt for the 4—4—2 formation once again with Inaki Williams and Dani Garcia in attack. The former remains the club's top scorer with two goals in four La Liga appearances.