Primera Liga Preview: Atletico v Athletic - two teams on very different paths

European Leagues / Editor / 16 February 2008 / Leave a Comment

Alsy looks at the divergent fortunes of these two grand names of the Spanish game ahead of their Sunday night clash

"Athletic" versus "Atletico"... if the names seem similar it's no coincidence. When Athletic Bilbao visit Atletico Madrid this weekend it will be a family reunion of sorts. Formed by Basque students living in Madrid at the turn of the 20th Century, Atletico was once an extension of Bilbao (with both teams sporting the same uniforms) until the team from the capital severed all ties in 1921.

Decades later the fraternal link has long since disappeared to be replaced by fierce rivalry. Steeped in Basque culture and tradition, Bilbao have a deep footballing history but right now they're mired in a relegation battle.

Conversely, Madrid sees themselves as a glamour team and the third biggest club in Spain behind the pre-eminent Real Madrid and Barcelona. Results have rarely backed up Atletico's case but last season, after the sale of Fernando Torres to Liverpool, they embarked on a torrent of spending that would put Chelsea to shame. A host of players arrived at the club ensuring that the Vicente Calderon stadium would glitter with star players. Just like at Bernabeu and the Nou Camp.

Diego Forlan, Simao Sabrosa, Luis Garcia and Antonio Reyes were recruited while the scintillating skills of boy-wonder Sergio "Kun" Aguero ensures that Barcelona's Messi is not necessarily the best young Argentinean playing in La Liga.

Mexican coach Javier Aguirre leads an Atletico side big on talent but low on consistency. Results have improved as the season has progressed and they now sit in fourth place, seven points behind second-placed Barcelona, host Bilbao.

On face value Atletico should defeat a Bilbao side languishing in 14th but they were just as optimistic before facing Gary Megson's struggling Bolton side in the Uefa Cup on Thursday night. After 90 minutes their lauded attack had failed to score against a team struggling in the Premiership and Atletico left The Reebok with a 1-0 deficit to overturn.

Aguirre would have imagined a better preparation prior to Bilbao's arrival but the home team are still heavy favourites to win and you can back them at [1.63] despite the fact that they've only won once in their last four La Liga games. Considering that Madrid has conceded 16 goals in 12 home fixtures to date that price may not seem too generous but the scoring prowess of Forlan and Aguero (31 goals between them this season) makes it hard to fancy anything other than a home win.

Things are a tad different at Bilbao. To this day only Catalan players wear the shirt so the culture clash between the two teams could not be wider. Only Basque players brought through the ranks can graduate to the senior team. Known as the "cantera" policy, Bilbao will only consider players native to one of seven Basque Provinces as eligible transfer targets.

Some laud Bilbao's home-grown policy while others accuse them of racism. Regardless of my personal opinion I'm impressed that they've never been relegated from Spain's top flight but if they lose at Atletico on Sunday night they could find themselves back in the relegation zone. To my mind Bilbao do not give the impression that they're able to defeat Atletico.

You can back Bilbao to win at [6.6] or draw at [4.0] but since they beat the Valencia 3-0 away in December they haven't scored a single away goal in their last four attempts. In players like Aduriz, Llorente and Yeste, Bilbao have talent but their current league position highlights the plight of an under-performing team with a woeful lack of goals.

Considering Madrid's superior striking power you could opt to back Over 2.5 Goals at [2.06] or Over 3.5 Goals at [3.75] but I suspect a low-scoring victory for the home team. Bilbao are resolute in defence but do not produce much coherent attacking play. I suspect Armando will have a busy and ultimately frustrating night in the Bilbao goal.