Athletic Club hosts Atletico Madrid at San Mamés on Saturday night in a key La Liga clash.
Atlético Madrid arrive in Bilbao fourth in the table and 11 points clear of eighth‑placed Athletic.
Athletic Club vs Atletico Madrid – Match preview and team news
- Date: Saturday, 6th December.
- Kick-off: 8pm BST.
- Venue: Estadio de San Memes, Bilbao.
Athletic Club team news
Athletic are again without several important squad players. Creative midfielder Robert Navarro remains sidelined with a thigh/ankle problem and is listed as unavailable for this game, alongside long‑term absentees Unai Eguiluz and Beñat Prados, who are both recovering from serious cruciate ligament injuries. Another forward, Maroan Sannadi, is also ruled out until late January with a meniscus issue, further reducing Ernesto Valverde’s attacking depth.
Yeray Alvarez is suspended and will miss the visit of Atlético Madrid. However, Oihan Sancet is back from suspension. There is cautious optimism around Iñaki Williams, who has been managing a groin problem. He is still considered a doubt and is not expected to start, even if passed fit.
In contrast, Nico Williams is set to shoulder much of the attacking responsibility from the left flank again. The Spain international has already scored three league goals this season and remains one of La Liga’s most dangerous wide forwards.
Atletico Madrid team news
Diego Simeone’s side faces significant injury concerns heading into the trip to San Mamés. Álex Baena suffered a hamstring injury during Tuesday’s 3-1 loss to Barcelona and underwent physiotherapy sessions in the days following, with his recovery still being monitored.
Johnny Cardoso also suffered an injury to his left knee in the 14th minute of the Barcelona clash without associated joint injuries, and his status remains uncertain with uncertain availability for Saturday’s fixture.
Robin Le Normand continues his rehabilitation from a high-grade knee injury to the posterior capsule sustained in early November and was spotted training in full on Monday, though he remains unavailable.
The centre-back is expected to return by mid-December but will not feature against Athletic. Marcos Llorente likewise remains sidelined with a hamstring injury and is unavailable.
Form
Athletic Club
Athletic come into the game on the back of a heavy 3–0 home defeat to Real Madrid, a result that followed an important 2–0 away win at Levante and a goalless Champions League draw away to Slavia Prague.
Valverde’s side has struggled for consistency, with six wins, two draws and seven defeats in 15 league matches, scoring just 14 goals and conceding 20. Their home crowd at San Mamés, however, continues to give them a formidable edge; if they can tighten up defensively, Athletic remain capable of upsetting elite visitors.
Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid, by contrast, are in strong domestic and European form despite a 3–1 loss at Barcelona in their last league outing.
Simeone’s men had previously beaten Levante, Getafe and Real Oviedo in La Liga and edged Inter Milan 2–1 in the Champions League, underlining their resilience across competitions.
With a league record of nine wins, four draws and just two defeats (28 goals scored, 14 conceded), Atlético sit securely in the top four and boast one of the division’s best defences and most efficient attacks.
Predicted lineups
Athletic Bilbao: Simon; Lekue, Vivian, Laporte, Boiro; Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar; Berenguer, Sancet, N Williams; Guruzeta.
Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Molina, Gimenez, Lenglet, Hancko; Simeone, Koke, Barrios, Gallagher; Sorloth, Alvarez.
How to watch Athletic Club vs Atletico Madrid?
In the United Kingdom, official listings show Athletic Club vs Atletico Madrid being broadcast live on Disney+, following Disney’s agreement to carry Saturday night La Liga fixtures for the 2025/26 season.
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