Europa League
2012-05-09 - Atletico Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao
A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser
Match Preview :
The Europe League Cup final will be an all Spanish affair when they meet in Bucharest tonight. No doubt Atletico goes into this tie as the slightly more favourite team with the more experienced and better form then their Spanish counter part Athletic Bilbao. The Madrid side have won 11 consecutive matches in the Europa League and are also unbeaten in seven matches in all competitions going into this final. And not only did they win this tournament in 2010 but they have since managed to get the services of Radamel Falcao, the man who scored the winner in last year's final for Porto.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone is hoping to strike the right balance between enthusiasm and responsibility as they head into this final match. But it has to be said that Atletico are up against a highly-motivated Basque side that has captured the attention of Europe with their high-tempo approach under an Argentine coach in Marcelo Bielsa. It has to be said that Athletic Bilbao stunned Manchester United in the last 16 stage of this year's competition, completely outplaying the tournament favourites in both legs with a near-unique brand of fast-paced passing football.
Schalke and Sporting Lisbon were their next victims, but away from the Europa League things have fallen a little flat for Bielsa's men, having slipped to 10th in the Spanish La Liga. Bielsa have tended to rest key players as he has put the Cup competition a priority, with the Bilbao side also facing Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final later this month. And it has to be said that only two of the expected starting line-up for this final started the game against Getafe on Saturday - an indication of Athletic's determination to win a first European trophy.
Bielsea has gone on record to state that : "A final is something unique and not to be repeated and that is the difference.
"What we need to do is to live up to that level and to show as much as we can the team's potential."
Team News :
Athletico Madrid Team News :
Atletico will be without midfielder Tiago Mendes, who is banned following his sending off against Valencia in the second leg of the semi-final. Gabi is expected to come in for him. Meanwhile, Captain Antonio Lopez is back from injury but may be forced to settle for a place on the bench.
Luis Perea may return after recovering from injury but Fran Merida is cup-tied and Silvio is also unavailable.
Athletico Bilbao Team News :
Star forwards Fernando Llorente and Iker Muniain were both rested at the weekend with a view to being fully fresh for this match. Fernando Amorebieta is the only concern ass he faces a race against time to be fit following a calf injury.
Possible lineups
Atletico Madrid : Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Filipe; Suarez, Gabi; Adrian, Diego, Turan; Falcao.
Athletic Bilbao : Iraizoz; Iraola, Martinez, Amorebieta, Aurtenetxe; De Marcos, Iturraspe, Herrera; Susaeta, Muniain; Llorente.
Predictions :
Take Athletic Bilbao and accept the 1/4 ball here as they create an upset over the more fancied Atletico Madrid side.
The Pick :
Atletico Madrid 1-2 Athletic Bilbao
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Athletic Bilbao to win.
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take Athletic Bilbao and accept the 1/4 ball here.
