(Football news) After a frustrating goalless draw at home against Club Brugge in the Champions League, Atletico Madrid will look to get back to winning ways against Athletic Club at San Mames. The draw against Club Brugge means that Atletico's spot in the UCL Round of 16 is in danger as they are now 2 points behind Porto in 3rd place. In the La Liga as well, things aren't too great for Diego Simeone's men as they are on 1 7points, 6 points behind leaders Barcelona and Real Madrid in 4th place. Athletic Club on the other hand are 3rd with 17 points as they have started the new season under Ernesto Valverde really well.

Atlético Madrid will be without the injured Marcos Llorente and Felipe while Bilbao are missing Dani Vivian and Yuri Berchiche through injury. Ander Herera is suspended after his red card against Sevilla. Atlético Madrid desperately need his win having already lost 4 games this season. Simeone is constantly changing the team in search of answers and the Argentine gave new signing Axel Witsel a new position at center back but has now reverted him back in midfield. Joao Felix, who began the season as a starting striker has only played 29 minutes in the last 3 games. There is a high chance that Atletico Madrid will play with a different system in this game just to switch things around and go to 3rd in the league table.

Beating Athletic Club at San Mames is a tough job in any situation but when they're in-form it becomes even more complicated. The Williams brothers Inaki and Nico have been leading Bilbao's attack and causing havoc. The match is likely to be between Atlético Madrid's defense and Athletic Club's attack with the battle between Nico Williams and Reinildo on Atletico's left hand side going to be the key. It will be interesting to see if Simeone ditches the 3-5-2 formation and goes back to four at the back which has brought him so much success in the past.

Also read: Real Madrid and Barcelona gear up for crucial El Clasico