Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2026 Spanish Super Cup | Semi-Final
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The opening semi-final of the Spanish Supercopa in Saudi Arabia sees last season’s double winners, Barcelona, take on a tired and faltering Athletic Club side.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / USA – ESPN+
Barcelona preview: Still winning
Last season, Barcelona were relentless in attack with some brilliant and high risk, high intensity football that saw them win three out of four trophies to compete for, but that form hasn’t quite been there this season, albeit they keep winning.
There was a brilliant example of the decline in performance level but results still coming as they pulled off quite a fortunate 2-0 win in the Barcelona derby against Espanyol at the weekend due to late goals scored by Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski.
Athletic Bilbao preview: Tough campaign
Having qualified for the UEFA Champions League with an impressive fourth place finish in La Liga last season, under the management of former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde, Athletic Club have struggled to balance the intensity of the schedule.
The Basque giants returned from the mini mid-season winter break in La Liga at the weekend by sharing a 1-1 draw with Osasuna at El Sadar in Pamplona, with Gorka Guruzeta scoring a second-half mid-way through the second-half in Navarre.
Barcelona team news: Can go full strength
Barcelona could go full strength against Athletic here with more or less a fully fit squad. Only Andreas Christensen and Gavi are sidelined through injury for the Blaugrana.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia; Kounde, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Alex Balde; Pedri, De Jong; Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Unavailable: Christensen (Injured), Ronald Araujo (Personal reasons), Gavi (Injured)
Questionable:
Athletic Bilbao team news: Defensive issues
Athletic have a few defensive issues here as Aymeric Laporte is sidelined alongside both Unai Egiluz and Yuri Berchiche, with Yeray Alvarez serving a doping ban.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Andoni Gorosabel, Dani Vivian, Aitor Paredes, Inigo Lekue; Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Mikel Jauregizar; Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams; Gorka Guruzeta
Unavailable: Yeray (Disciplinary), Laporte (Injured), Unai Egiluz (Injured), Yuri Berchiche (Injured), Benat Prados (Injured), Maroan Sannadi (Injured)
Questionable:
Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao prediction
Barcelona were indifferent against Espanyol the other day but they were sparked to life by the substitution of Fermin Lopez, who produced both goals for Dani Olmo and Lewandowski. With Lamine Yamal and Raphinha either side and having both craved this trophy last season, they are likely to play with an intensity and aggression that Athletic are simply unable to deal with in Riyadh.
Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao tip: Barcelona to win -1 handicap
