Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Spanish Primera
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
When is Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona on and what time does it start? Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona will take place on Sunday 3rd March, 2024 – 20:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona on in the UK? Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona will be televised live on LaLigaTV, but La Liga matches are also televised occasionally on Viaplay Sports and ITV
Where can I stream Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona in the UK? Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona can be streamed live on Viaplay, while ITV matches can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
ATHLETIC BILBAO
Led by former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde, Athletic Club begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting just outside of the top four and the UEFA Champions League qualifying spots. The Basque club are still very much in the hunt, though, sitting just three points below fourth placed Atletico Madrid in the Liga table.
Atletico Madrid is the side they most recently played, too, as they hammered them in midweek by three goals to nil at San Mames to complete a 4-0 aggregate victory in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey. Inaki Williams, Nico Williams and Gorka Guruzeta were the goal scorers in that match as they chase silverware.
BARCELONA
It has already been confirmed for over a month or so now that Xavi will depart Barcelona at the end of the season with the Catalans eight points adrift of league leaders Real Madrid and with very little too play for for the remainder of the season outside of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie against Napoli, which is currently 1-1 after the first-leg in Naples about ten days ago.
Domestically, Barcelona come into this one on the back of an impressive display and their most impressive performance in a few months as the Blaugrana hammered Getafe by four goals to nil at Barcelona’s Olympic Stadium last weekend. That victory means they are unbeaten in their last five matches.
THE TEAM NEWS
ATHLETIC BILBAO
Athletic are missing two key men for this weekend with both Nico Williams and Dani Vivian missing through suspension, whilst Yuri Berchiche and Ander Herrera are out injured.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Simon; de Marcos, Yeray Alvarez, Paredes, Lekue; Ruiz de Galarreta, Prados; I. Williams, Sancet, Berenguer; Guruzeta
UNAVAILABLE: N. Williams (Suspended), Vivian (Suspended), Berchiche (Injured), Herrera (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
BARCELONA
Both Alex Balde and Marcos Alonso are unavailable for Barcelona this weekend due to injury with forward Ferran Torres also a doubt for the Catalans.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): ter Stegen; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Cancelo; De Jong, Christensen, Gundogan; Yamal, Lewandowski, Pedri
UNAVAILABLE: Balde (Injured), Alonso (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Torres (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
Perhaps unusually for an Ernesto Valverde-coached side, Athletic have been one of the more entertaining teams to watch in La Liga this season. Their 26 matches so far this season have consisted of 72 goals with 46 scored and 26 conceded. They now face a Barcelona side that have noticeably lacked control throughout the campaign and backing an entertaining game for the neutral is a good bet for this one on Sunday evening.
TIP: OVER 2.5 GOALS
