Atalanta vs Athletic Club Preview – prediction, team news, lineups | Pre-Season Friendly
Atalanta face Athletic Club in Bergamo in the final stages of their pre-season preparations.
Atalanta will host Athletic Club at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo on Friday, August 14, in the Trofeo Bortolotti. The friendly will be the Serie A side’s first major home test of the summer under new head coach Maurizio Sarri, while Athletic Club will use the fixture as their final pre-season outing before the new campaign.
La Dea enter the fixture after beating Schalke 3-0, following a 2-1 defeat to Feyenoord. Athletic Club, meanwhile, lost 3-1 to Marseille in their latest outing after recording three consecutive wins against Burgos CF, Racing Santander and Sestao.
The match also gives both teams another meeting just months after their Champions League clash in Bergamo, when Athletic Club came from behind to win 3-2 in January.
Kick-off Details
- Competition: Pre-season Friendly
- Date: Friday, August 14, 2026
- Time: 8:45 PM CEST / 12:15 AM IST
- Venue: New Balance Arena, Bergamo, Italy.
- Referee: TBD
- VAR: Not in use
Form
Atalanta: W-L-W-D-W
Athletic Club: L-W-W-W-D
Players to watch out for
Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta)
Scamacca scored in his side’s previous meeting with Athletic Club, finding the net in the 3-2 Champions League defeat in Bergamo in January. He also scored in La Dea’s recent 3-0 pre-season win over Schalke 04, making him a key attacking player to watch in the expected XI.
Nico Williams (Athletic Club)
Williams recorded six goals and three assists in 25 LaLiga appearances during the 2025-26 season. His pace and ability to attack from the left make him one of Athletic Club’s key attacking outlets, particularly with Gorka Guruzeta expected to lead the line.
Match Facts
- This will be the second meeting between Atalanta and Athletic Club in 2026.
- Athletic Club won the previous encounter 3-2 at Bergamo in January.
- The friendly is part of the 27th edition of the Trofeo Achille e Cesare Bortolotti.
- Atalanta will play their first major home fixture under Maurizio Sarri at the New Balance Arena.
- Athletic Club’s match against Atalanta is their eighth and final pre-season friendly.
- Atalanta beat Schalke 04 3-0 in their latest friendly, while Athletic Club lost 3-1 to Marseille.
Betting tips & odds
- Tip 1: Draw – 4.28
- Tip 2: Athletic Club to win – 4.89
- Tip 3: Over 2.5 goals
Injury & team news
Atalanta will be without Isak Hien, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury and is expected to return in late August. Kamaldeen Sulemana is also a concern after suffering a left-knee sprain during the 3-0 win over Schalke, although his availability for the Athletic Club match depends on further medical assessment.
Athletic Club have several defensive concerns. Daniel Vivian and Andoni Gorosabel are listed as doubtful with muscle injuries, while Unai Egiluz is sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury and is not expected back until January 2027.
Head-to-head stats
- Matches played: 01
- Atalanta (win):00
- Athletic Club (win): 01
Predicted lineups
Atalanta
Carnesecchi, Ahanor, Hien, Scalvini, Zappacosta, Ederson, de Roon, Bernasconi, De Ketelaere, Zalewski, Scamacca.
Athletic Club
Simon, Areso, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche, Jauregizar, Ruiz de Galarreta, I. Williams, Sancet, N. Williams, Guruzeta.
Match Prediction
Atalanta have home advantage and enter the fixture after a convincing 3-0 victory over Schalke, while Athletic Club arrive after a 3-1 defeat to Marseille. However, Athletic already showed in January that they can trouble Atalanta in Bergamo. The hosts’ stronger recent result and home advantage make them slight favourites.
Prediction: Atalanta 2-1 Athletic Club.
Telecast Details
The telecast and live streaming details for Atalanta vs Athletic Club have not yet been confirmed. Fans are advised to check the clubs’ official platforms and local broadcasters for updates closer to kick-off.
When & where will the Atalanta vs Athletic Club match be played?
The pre-season friendly will be played on Friday, August 14, 2026, at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo, Italy.
What is the prediction for Atalanta vs Athletic Club?
The Serie A side are predicted to win 2-1.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.
Anubha Anandita Pathak is a sports enthusiast with a strong passion for cricket and basketball, shaped by her experience as a district-level basketball and kabaddi player. A loyal Golden State Warriors supporter, she closely follows Stephen Curry’s style of play. With on-ground reporting experience covering the Indian Super League and Karnataka’s hockey circuit, Anubha brings both perspective and passion to her storytelling.