Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 Spanish Primera
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Hansi Flick began his reign in charge of Barcelona with a come from behind victory at Mestalla against Valencia and now the Blaugrana return to Catalonia to welcome a strong and exciting but frustrated Athletic side, after their 1-1 draw with Getafe at San Mames last week.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday 24th August, 2024 - UK – 6:00pm / US ET – 1:00pm / US PT – 10:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
BARCELONA PREVIEW: BECOMING MORE CERTAIN
Hansi Flick is trying to begin a new era but there is still a massive lack of certainty both on and off the pitch at Barcelona. The departure of Ilkay Gundogan is expected to assist the registration of Dani Olmo for the second game of the season with the Spain international said to be bemused by the situation at the club.
Barca, on the pitch, were also unconvincing on the opening day of the season. They fell behind in the 44th minute against Valencia with a goal from Hugo Duro but then Poland captain Robert Lewandowski did notch deep into first-half stoppage-time before he then added a second just after the half-time interval.
ATHLETIC BILBAO PREVIEW: THE RETURN OF ERNESTO VALVERDE
Former Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde will return to Catalonia this week but at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys instead of Camp Nou with Barca still rebuilding Camp Nou. Athletic have a lot of excitement going into this season, despite the retirements of Raul Garcia and Iker Muniain, with UEFA Europa League football and the final of that competition being held at San Mames in May.
Well, despite that excitement, Athletic began with a very frustrating result and performance against Getafe. They were held to a 1-1 draw at home with Oihan Sancet’s first-half opener being cancelled out by Christantus Uche in the second-half.
BARCELONA TEAM NEWS: BARCA’S INJURY ISSUES
Barcelona have serious issues in midfield so the departure of Gundogan is even more bizarre with Frenkie de Jong and Gavi both unavailable with Pedri being eased back after his injury at UEFA EURO 2024.
Ronald Araujo also suffered an injury in the summer, missing the end of Uruguay’s CONMEBOL Copa America campaign, whilst likely to depart Ansu Fati is also unavailable for the hosts.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Ter Stegen; Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Alex Balde; Marc Bernal, Marc Casado; Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Ferran Torres; Lewandowski
UNAVAILABLE: Ronald Araujo (Injured), De Jong (Injured), Gavi (Injured), Ansu Fati (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
ATHLETIC BILBAO TEAM NEWS: FRUSTRATION IN BILBAO
Athletic Club have a few key injury issues to go with the fact their squad has already shrunk in the summer with goalkeeper a major concern as both Unai Simon and Julen Aggirezabala are out for a while.
Key man in defence, Oscar de Marcos, is also unavailable whilst new signing Alvaro Djalo, who showed good signs in pre-season, suffered a hamstring injury on the eve of the season. Barcelona target Nico Williams, though, should return to the eleven after being a substitute last week.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Alex Padilla; Andoni Gorosabel, Yeray, Aitor Paredes, Yuri Berchiche; Benat Prados, Mikel Vesga; Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams; Gorka Guruzeta
UNAVAILABLE: Unai Simon (Injured), Julen Agirrezabala (Injured), Oscar de Marcos (Injured), Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta (Injured), Alvaro Djalo (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Nico Serrano (Injured)
BARCELONA VS ATHLETIC BILBAO PREDICTION
Barcelona have not looked convincing on or off the pitch of late and the Blaugrana may have some trouble in convincing neutrals that they are once again a serious organisation and club. However, they do still have an abundance of quality in attack and Lamine Yamal going straight into the line-up after his stellar UEFA EURO 2024 campaign is a positive. They now face an Athletic side that will be looking to avoid back-to-back defeats but with a lot of injuries and some poor attacking play in their first game, Barca may be looking at starting with two successive victories.
BARCELONA VS ATHLETIC BILBAO TIP: BARCELONA TO WIN
