It’s the clash of the two most famous set of red-and-white stripes in Spain, and Saturday evening’s visit of Athletic Bilbao will provide Atletico Madrid with one of their tougher recent tests as they bid to prolong their 13-match unbeaten run.
They’ve won their last seven in a row, too, and will be welcoming an Athletic outfit who have won just one of the last 10 against them in league and cup, losing eight of those clashes.
There are plenty of reasons for Diego Simeone’s side to feel confident then, and with the chance to keep up the pace with Barcelona ahead of the Catalan giants’ trip to the Club World Cup, the hosts should have no little motivation as the Basques come calling to the capital.