Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid were surprisingly eliminated from the Copa del Rey on Wednesday evening by Cornella and require a response against Athletic Bilbao.
The La Liga leaders were heavy favourites to progress, but after a tough night in Cataluna, their focus can now be on the league and the Champions League.
Atletico have no time to feel sorry for themselves with the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona trying to make up for lost time this weekend and cannont take the Basques lightly.
Point to Prove for Los Colchoneros
Before Wednesday’s defeat, Atletico had won four straight games in the league to secure a two-point cushion at the top of the table.
They also have two games in hand on Real, but Saturday’s match against Bilbao will by no means be a walk in the park.
Los Leones need to improve their home form if they want to qualify for Europe, but on the road, they have proven to be stubborn opposition.
They have scored in their last five on their travels, finding the back of the net six times during that time.
Atletico haven’t lost any of their nine home games against Bilbao since Simeone took charge in 2011 and punters can get 16/5 for the home team to win and both teams to score.
Barca Aiming to Make it Eight Unbeaten
Ronald Koeman has already conceded a title charge is unlikely for his Barcelona players this season, but his squad are doing what they can to prove him wrong.
The Blaugrana are unbeaten in their last seven in the league,form that has seen them climb to third in the table.
They may have limped past Huesca last weekend, but they were able to beat Bilbao 3-2 on Wednesday.
Granada Saturday’s opponents and provide stern opposition having not lost in three matches at home.
The Andalusians have lost seven of their last eight games against Barca, but they did beat them on the Blaugrana’s most recent visit in 2019.
A repeat victory looks unlikely, but with Barca the unfinished article under Koeman, there’s no reason they cannot score.
Barcelona’s superior quality in the final third should be too much, so an away win and both teams to score looks inviting at odds of 29/20.
Elche Planning Escape from Bottom Three
Elche head into Sunday’s meeting with Getafe inside the bottom three, after tallying just 16 points from their first 15 games.
They do though have a game in hand, and Jorge Almiron’s men may feel a little hard done by this season after losing only lost twice on home soil during the current campaign.
Four draws in five has given them a chance of moving up the table, and they could be playing Getafe at the perfect time.
Los Azulones have lost their last two games without scoring and at 7/2, it is worth putting faith in Elche as they try to build on their 1-1 draw with Real Madrid.
*All odds correct at time of writing