Athletic Bilbao-Atletico Madrid Betting Preview: Backing both teams to score offers value to punters

Reporting on Spanish football for a living, one loses count of the number of times the phrase "it is not Atheltico Bilbao" has had to be uttered, and is likely to be mentioned more than once on Sunday night as Atletico Madrid make the trip north to face Marcelo Bielsa's side.

With the team from the capital riding high in second place following seven wins in their last 10 games, it is hardly surprising to find them as favourites with William Hill priced at 11/8 (2.37) for the win.

The Basques' season has been a steady procession of frustration coupled with disappointment can be backed at 2/1 (3.00) to claim what would be only their fifth home win of the season.

And therein lies one of the keys to Athletic's woes during the current campaign; where once stood an imposing fortress of a stadium known as the Cathedral, San Mames has become a ground where sides realistically believe they can get something from games.

Most recently Rayo Vallecano went to Bilbao and won, and that is the kind of result which shows just how badly wrong things have gone for Marcelo Bielsa's side.

Yet the Basques have been scoring in games (just not enough to win them) with Athletic netting in six of their last seven matches, and in all but two of their nine league encounters at home this season.

With Atletico scoring in nine of their previous 10 La Liga fixtures backing both teams to score looks appealing, and the odds of 4/5 (1.80) are perhaps a touch more generous than one would have expected.

For a value bet, back Athletic's in form Aritz Aduriz to open the scoring at 6/1 (7.00) with the former Valencia man having netted 12 goals this season. Crucially three of his last five goals have all opened the scoring and the odds once again look inviting.


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Phil Kitromilides is a sports broadcaster working on TV in Madrid. You can also follow Phil on Twitter.
Via: Athletic Bilbao-Atletico Madrid Betting Preview: Backing both teams to score offers value to punters