Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona Live Stream, Predictions

📏 Form Guide

Athletic Bilbao

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Athletic Bilbao will play in this game following on from a 0-0 La Liga draw versus Rayo Vallecano.

In that game, Athletic Bilbao managed 45% possession and 16 shots at goal with 3 on target. At the other end, Rayo Vallecano got 18 attempts on goal with 2 on target.

It has been all too rare in recent times that Athletic Bilbao have shown defensive steel. The reality is that Athletic Bilbao have seen their defence breached in 5 of their previous 6 matches, letting in 7 goals during that time.

Going into this one, Athletic Bilbao have not registered a win against Barcelona in their previous 6 league games.

Barcelona

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Barcelona come into this clash after a 1-0 La Liga win vs Valencia in their most recent fixture.

In that game, Barcelona managed 53% possession and 13 shots on goal with 4 of them on target. The scorer for Barcelona was Raphinha (15'). Valencia had 13 shots at goal with 1 on target.

During their 6 previous matches, Xavi Hernández's Barcelona have managed to stick the ball in the net 7 times, earning them the goals per game average of 1.17.

Going into this contest, Barcelona remain undefeated by Athletic Bilbao when having played them away from home in the previous 2 league games.

↔️ Head to head

An examination of their prior head-to-head clashes dating back to 31/01/2021 tells us that Athletic Bilbao have won 1 of these and Barcelona 4, with the tally of draws standing at 1.

Loads of goals were seen in those games, too - 22 overall which averages out at 3.67 goals per meeting.

The previous league match featuring the two was La Liga match day 11 on 23/10/2022 when it ended Barcelona 4-0 Athletic Bilbao.

In that match, Barcelona had 66% possession and 10 attempts on goal with 7 of them on target. The scorers were Ousmane Dembélé (12'), Sergi Roberto (18'), Robert Lewandowski (22') and Ferrán Torres (73').

Athletic Bilbao had 5 attempts on goal with 3 on target.

The referee was Juan Martínez Munuera.

📰 Team News: Athletic Bilbao

Jon Morcillo (Collarbone fracture), Iñigo Lekue (Hamstring Injury), Unai Simón (Achilles tendon problems) and Ander Herrera (Hamstring Injury) won’t be able to feature for Athletic Bilbao boss Ernesto Valverde.

It looks as if Los Leones could go for a 4-2-3-1 formation in the match, beginning the first half with Julen Agirrezabala, Oscar de Marcos, Daniel Vivian, Inigo Martinez, Mikel Balenziaga, Dani Garcia, Mikel Vesga, Nico Williams, Raul Garcia, Alex Berenguer and Inaki Williams.

ℹ️ Team News: Barcelona

Barcelona boss Xavi Hernández has some current player fitness concerns. Adrià Pedrosa (Groin Injury) and Keidi Bare (Ruptured ankle ligament) can’t be considered. Ronald Araújo will not be able to play in this game through being suspended.

We’re of the thinking that Barça might play in a 4-3-3 system, starting M. ter Stegen, Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen, Sergi Roberto, Alex Balde, Ferran Torres, Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Gavi.

💭 Prediction

We feel that over the course of the game, Athletic Bilbao may find it difficult to score against this Barcelona side who we reckon will do enough to score at the other end and edge ahead.

We’re therefore predicting a good battle with a 0-1 advantage for Barcelona when the full-time whistle blows.

Should be interesting.

Our expert partners are tipping under 3.5 goals for this match. Check out their VIP predictions here.

Victor Martins, 02:46 08/03/2023