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2022/23 Spanish La Liga
Matchday 22
Atletico Madrid v Athletic Bilbao
Estádio Cívitas Metropolitano
Madrid, Spain
Sunday, 19 February 2023
Kick-off is at 18h30
Atletico Madrid will go head to head with Athletic Bilbao in a
Spanish La Liga match at the Estádio Cívitas Metropolitano on February 19.
Current Form
The Mattress Makers emerged as 1-0 winners over Celta Vigo away on February 12 and they extended their unbeaten run to five matches in the league.
Atletico are also undefeated in their last two matches at home having recorded one draw and one victory at the Estádio Cívitas Metropolitano.
While Bilbao secured a 2-1 win over Valencia CF away on February 11 and they are now unbeaten in their last two matches in La Liga.
The win over Valencia ended the Lions' seven-match winless run on the road having registered three draws and four defeats as the away side.
What Is At Stake
Atletico are placed fourth on the league standings and they cannot afford to drop more points as they look to cement their spot in the top four.
Diego Simeone's side will be determined to secure a win over an improving Bilbao side which is also pushing for a top four finish this term.
Bilbao are placed seventh on the league standings - six points behind Atletico and they will be desperate for a win which would boost their own ambitions.
Team News
Atletico have no injury concerns coming into this match, but the Madrid giants will be without Stefan Savic who was sent off during the game against Celta.
However, Elche have injury concerns as Ander Herrera and Íñigo Martínez will be missing due to their respective injuries.
Key Players
Having netted his maiden goal for Atletico against Celta, Memphis Depay will be confident of scoring another decisive goal when he faces Bilbao.
While Bilbao will pin their hopes of defeating Atletico on Ohian Sancet who has been in good form this season - scoring eight goals from 19 starts in La Liga.
Image copyright: Getty Images
Quotes
"It was a clash just as we expected: strange," Bilbao manager Ernesto Valverde said after masterminding a win over Valencia.
"We knew we were playing a team under a lot of pressure because of their recent results and everything else that surrounded this match.
"We did everything right and got three points. It's an important boost in a season where all is proving to be very evenly matched," he continued.
"We'll celebrate the win. In the Copa we were superior but today was a much tighter match. We had to fight for every point."
Head-to-Head
Atletico ran out as 1-0 winners over Bilbao in their last meeting in La Liga with the match taking place at the San Mames Barria on 15 October 2022.
The win ended the Mattress Makers' three-match winless run against the Lions in the league having registered two defeats and one draw before their clash last October.
(Last Five La Liga Meetings)
Matches - 5
Atletico - 2
Bilbao - 2
Draws - 1
La Liga matchday 22 fixtures
Friday, February 17
21:00 - Girona FC v UD Almeria
Saturday, February 18
14:00 - Real Sociedad v Celta Vigo
16:15 - Real Betis v Real Valladolid
18:30 - Real Mallorca v Villarreal
21:00 - CA Osasuna v Real Madrid
Sunday, February 19
14:00 - Elche CF v RCD Espanyol
16:15 - Rayo Vallecano v Sevilla FC
18:30 - Atletico Madrid v Athletic Bilbao
21:00 - FC Barcelona v Cadiz CF
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Monday, February 20
21:00 - Getafe CF v Valencia CF