Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona Preview: Team News & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Athletic Club may well be deflated this season but it has been another impressive campaign as they take on the champions and double winners Barcelona at San Mames on the final day.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Athletic Bilbao preview: Impressive Athletic
Having reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League, Athletic Club have enjoyed another impressive season under the management of former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde with a fourth place finish and UEFA Champions League qualification.
They would have wanted to reach the final of the UEFA Europa League, though, which is being held at their home ground of San Mames in Bilbao. However, they have recovered well from their humiliation at the hands of Manchester United in the semi-finals.
Barcelona preview: Brilliant Blaugrana
Hansi Flick gave his Barcelona players a couple of days off earlier this week after the Blaugrana confirmed the league title against Espanyol in the Barcelona derby at the RCDE Stadium about ten days ago, backing up their Copa del Rey final triumph against Real Madrid last month.
The Catalans have been superb throughout the season but they do come into this on the back of suffering a sixth defeat of the campaign last weekend in their final home game as they were beaten 3-2 by Villarreal at Estadi Olympic Lluis Companys.
Athletic Bilbao team news: Couple of injuries
Ahead of the final day of the campaign, reported former Barcelona target Nico Williams is an injury doubt for the hosts due to a groin injury, whilst centre-back Yeray Alvarez remains potentially unavailable due to a thigh issue.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Inigo Lekue, Dani Vivian, Aitor Paredes, Yuri Berchiche; Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Benat Prados; Alex Berenguer, Oihan Sancet, Inaki Williams; Gorka Guruzeta
Unavailable:
Questionable: Yeray (Injured), Nico Williams (Injured)
Barcelona team news: Unlikely to rotate
Barca have a relentless and ruthless head coach in Flick and the former Bayern Munich and Germany boss is unlikely to want to take his foot off the gas. Marc-Andre ter Stegen returned to the eleven last weekend and is expected to start once again this weekend.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ter Stegen; Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Gerard Martin; Gavi, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Unavailable: Marc Bernal (Injured), Dani Rodriguez (Injured)
Questionable: Ronald Araujo (Injured), Kounde (Injured), Ferran Torres (Injured)
Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona prediction
That aforementioned sixth defeat of the campaign for Barcelona means that they have now lost more games than Athletic Club, who also have the best defensive record in La Liga. That said, Barca can drag any team into an entertaining battle, even producing 13 goals over two legs of their UEFA Champions League semi-final against the primarily defensive Internazionale. This could well be a fun send off to the season in the Basque Country on the final day.
Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona tip: Both teams to score
