Athletic Bilbao finally stopped their difficult opening run with a convincing victory in Vigo, but the next test is considerably harder. Atletico Madrid arrive at San Mames unbeaten in LaLiga, with seven points from three matches and an attack that produced three first-half goals at Sevilla.
On September 5 at 19:45 IST, “Athletic Bilbao” will face “Atletico Madrid” at “San Mames”. Athletic have three points after three league matches, while Atletico have seven and remain unbeaten.
The recent trajectories are different. Edin Terzic changed seven players after the defeat at Barcelona and was rewarded with Athletic’s first league victory. Diego Simeone, meanwhile, found a balanced XI at Sevilla and has been testing the same structure in preparation for the trip to Bilbao.
Teams Current Form
“Athletic Bilbao” form
Athletic Bilbao earned their first LaLiga victory of the season with a 2-0 away win against “Celta Vigo”. Alex Berenguer opened the scoring in the 20th minute and Robert Navarro doubled the advantage two minutes later.
The result was built during an excellent first half. Athletic pressed aggressively, recovered possession high up the pitch and repeatedly found space through Oihan Sancet, Berenguer and Inaki Williams. Unai Simon was also important early in the match, making a close-range save before Athletic took control.
Terzic made seven changes from the team that lost 2-0 at “Barcelona”. The response was significant after defeats against “Sevilla” and Barcelona had left Athletic without a point from their first two league games.
The midfield combination of Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta and Beñat Gerenabarrena gave the team greater control against Celta, while Robert Navarro added movement between midfield and attack. Nico Williams, Gorka Guruzeta and Mikel Jauregizar were available from the bench, giving Terzic several ways to change the front line.
The challenge is consistency. Athletic have lost four of their last five competitive and friendly matches and scored only four goals during that sequence. The Celta performance was much stronger, but Atletico represent a more disciplined defensive opponent.
“Atletico Madrid” form
Atletico Madrid have started LaLiga with two wins and one draw. They beat “Malaga” 2-0, drew 2-2 with “Villarreal” and then produced their best performance of the season in a 3-1 away victory against “Sevilla”.
Alex Baena scored twice at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan, with Ademola Lookman adding the other goal. Atletico led 3-0 after only 32 minutes and controlled the match comfortably before Sevilla scored during the second half.
The XI used in Seville gave Simeone a strong balance. Marcos Llorente provided progression from right-back, David Hancko and Marc Pubill protected the central areas, while Alejandro Grimaldo attacked from the opposite side. Morten Hjulmand and Pablo Barrios supported an attacking group featuring Giuliano Simeone, Lookman, Lee Kang-in and Baena.
Atletico’s attacking options have increased since that match. Julian Alvarez has returned to full team training and remains at the club after the transfer window closed. Jonathan David has also joined on loan from Juventus and has started training with his new teammates.
Neither should automatically be inserted into the potential starting XI, however. The structure used at Sevilla worked effectively, and Simeone has already tested the same eleven again in preparation for Athletic.
Probable Lineups
“Athletic Bilbao” lineup
Potential lineup: Unai Simon, Jesus Areso, Aitor Paredes, Aymeric Laporte, Yuri Berchiche, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Beñat Gerenabarrena, Robert Navarro, Oihan Sancet, Alex Berenguer, Inaki Williams.
“Atletico Madrid” lineup
Potential lineup: Jan Oblak, Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill, David Hancko, Alejandro Grimaldo, Giuliano Simeone, Morten Hjulmand, Pablo Barrios, Ademola Lookman, Lee Kang-in, Alex Baena.
Julian Alvarez is back in team training and Jonathan David has joined the squad, but neither started the previous competitive match. They should therefore be treated as additional attacking options rather than automatic changes to the potential XI.
Who will not play
For “Athletic Bilbao”, Peio Canales is unavailable after suffering a moderate muscle injury to the soleus of his left leg.
Dani Vivian remained unavailable in Athletic’s latest official injury update as he continued his recovery.
Benat Prados has also been dealing with an injury and was unavailable in the latest official team update before Athletic’s recent fixtures.
Unai Egiluz remains in long-term rehabilitation following knee surgery.
Andoni Gorosabel should not be listed among Athletic’s absentees because he is no longer part of the current match squad after joining Espanyol on loan.
For “Atletico Madrid”, Alexander Sorloth is the confirmed injury absence. The striker continues to recover from the muscular problem that has prevented him from playing this season and will not be ready for the trip to San Mames.
Robin Le Normand has already served the suspension caused by his red card against Villarreal and is available again.
Julian Alvarez is available after returning to full team training.
Jose Maria Gimenez and Thomas Lemar should not be listed as injured Atletico players for this match because both left the club before the transfer deadline, joining Deportivo and Elche respectively on loan.
The most accurate information on the final starting lineups will be available immediately before the meeting.
Statistics for the Last 5 Matches
“Athletic Bilbao”
30.08.26, LaLiga: Celta Vigo 0-2 Athletic Bilbao
27.08.26, LaLiga: Barcelona 2-0 Athletic Bilbao
22.08.26, LaLiga: Athletic Bilbao 1-3 Sevilla
21.08.26, Friendly: Real Zaragoza 3-1 Athletic Bilbao
14.08.26, Friendly: Atalanta 1-0 Athletic Bilbao
In the last five competitive and friendly matches, “Athletic Bilbao” have 1 win and 4 defeats. The team scored 4 goals and conceded 9.
“Atletico Madrid”
29.08.26, LaLiga: Sevilla 1-3 Atletico Madrid
23.08.26, LaLiga: Atletico Madrid 2-2 Villarreal
19.08.26, LaLiga: Atletico Madrid 2-0 Malaga
14.08.26, Friendly: Olympique Marseille 1-2 Atletico Madrid
09.08.26, Friendly: Manchester City 3-1 Atletico Madrid
In the last five competitive and friendly matches, “Atletico Madrid” have 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat. The team scored 10 goals and conceded 7.
Head-to-Head Statistics
25.04.26, LaLiga: Atletico Madrid 3-2 Athletic Bilbao
06.12.25, LaLiga: Athletic Bilbao 1-0 Atletico Madrid
01.03.25, LaLiga: Atletico Madrid 1-0 Athletic Bilbao
31.08.24, LaLiga: Athletic Bilbao 0-1 Atletico Madrid
27.04.24, LaLiga: Atletico Madrid 3-1 Athletic Bilbao
In the last five LaLiga head-to-head matches, “Atletico Madrid” have 4 wins and “Athletic Bilbao” have 1 win. Atletico scored 8 goals and Athletic Bilbao scored 4.
Main prediction for the “Athletic Bilbao” - “Atletico Madrid” game
Athletic Bilbao – Atletico Madrid: forecast on event 5 September 2026
Atletico Madrid double chance
Athletic’s victory at Celta was convincing and San Mames significantly increases their competitiveness. Terzic’s team can press aggressively, attack second balls and use Berenguer, Sancet and Williams to put Atletico under pressure early.
The broader balance still favours Simeone’s side. Atletico are unbeaten in the league, have scored seven goals in three matches and have already won away at Sevilla. Their midfield structure is more settled, while the return of Alvarez and arrival of Jonathan David give Simeone additional attacking alternatives without forcing him to change the XI that performed well at the Sanchez-Pizjuan.
The head-to-head record also supports caution with a straight Athletic victory. Atletico have won four of the last five league meetings and have repeatedly managed low-margin matches against the Basque side.
For
Additional predictions
Athletic Bilbao – Atletico Madrid: forecast on event 5 September 2026
Total under 3.5 goals
Three of the last five league meetings between the teams produced no more than one goal, while Athletic have scored only three times in their first three league matches this season.
Atletico showed greater attacking efficiency against Sevilla, but Simeone has little reason to turn an away game at San Mames into an uncontrolled contest. Athletic are also likely to remain more compact after finally keeping a clean sheet at Celta.
