Athletic Bilbao v Barcelona – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Athletic Bilbao face Barcelona in La Liga on Saturday night at San Mamés Barria. These sides last met in the Coppa del Rey final in April as Barcelona ran out 4-0 winners thanks to a brace from the now departer Lionel Messi. Bilbao have been in poor form for a long time and have lost four consecutive La Liga matches without scoring a goal.

Athletic Form

Bilbao have had a terrible run of form of late. Since March, the side have won just two of their last 15 matches in all competitions. Marcelino’s side responded to the 4-0 cup final thrashing by Barcelona with a five match unbeaten run (W2, D3) but they lost their final three La Liga matches to finish last season.

The opening match of this season saw a disappointing 0-0 draw away at Elche.

Athletic Team News

Centre back Yeray Alvarez and left back Yuri Berchiche are absent with injuries and the latter is an especially big loss. Experienced midfielder Raul Garcia is suspended having only served two matches of his three match ban for a red card against Real Madrid.

Goalkeeper Unai Simon missed the last match as he is given a rest after a busy summer playing in the Euros and the Olympics. Only new summer signings arrived – limited by the club’s Basque requirement – and one of them is injured in the shape of right back with Alex Petxa. Talent teenage winger Nico Williams debuted last week and could be an important impact substitute.

Athletic Motivation

Confidence in the squad is really low. Marcelino would take a point without doubt and is expected to set up quite defensively and test the quality of Barcelona without Messi.

If they fall behind, Bilbao will want to avoid a repeat of the 4-0 humiliation suffered against Barcelona in April.

Barcelona Form

Barca had a poor end to last season as they basically threw away the lead title by dropping ten points in their final six La Liga matches. A 2-1 home defeat to Granada, a 3-3 draw at Levante and a 2-1 home loss to Celta Vigo – after leading in all three matches – were disastrous results.

The Catalan giants won 1-0 Eibar on the final day of the season but it was too late. Barcelona started life without Messi with a fine 4-2 win against Real Sociedad last weekend. Martin Braithwaite netted twice with Gerard Pique and Sergi Roberto also on target.

Barcelona Team News

Barcelona remain without talented young winger Ansu Fati whilst Philippe Coutinho is seemingly not quite ready to return after his long-term injury. Ousmane Dembele has a hamstring injury which reduces options in attack so Martin Braithwaite will keep his place after a brace last week.

Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen has had knee surgery and misses out so Neto will play. New signing Sergio Aguero has injured his calf and is still months from making his debut. Eric Garcia, another signing from Man City, will start once again at centre back.

Barcelona Motivation

A win would be a huge result for this new Barcelona without Messi. Motivation will be very high for these players to show their quality in the absence of their old talisman.

A draw would not be a terrible result but it’s unlikely Ronald Koeman will settle for one at any stage.

Key Stats

Bilbao have won 2 of their last 15 matches

Athletic club have lost 4 La Liga matches in a row

Bilbao have failed to score in their last 4 La Liga matches

Barca have won their last 3 La Liga matches against Athletic Club

Barcelona have seen over 2.5 goals in 8 of their last 10 La Liga matches

Barca have won 12 of their last 14 away La Liga matches

Prediction

Bilbao are totally out of form and are having massive trouble scoring goals. Barcelona will see them as ideal opponents to beat to build some momentum without Lionel Messi. A Barca win to zero looks a good bet considering the home side’s scoring woes.