Verdict: Barcelona to score during first half – yes
Best Odds: 4/9
Bookmaker: 888sport
FC Barcelona have been the best club in LaLiga so far and sit comfortably at the top of the standings. They will try to extend their positive run on Saturday, when they travel to Bilbao to take on Athletic Club. Kick-off is scheduled at 19:45 BST, and Juan Martinez Munuera will be the referee.
Athletic Club
Athletic Club have not exactly been a model of consistency during the current season. They currently sit in 11th place with 11 points (W3, D2, L4), and have underperformed in comparison to their pre-season expectations. They only have one win in their last 10 matches, and are coming off a disappointing defeat against Leganes and a draw against Formentera in the Copa del Rey as their most recent results. On paper they look like massive underdogs if we take a look at Barcelona’s impressive run of form, but Bilbao have a history of making things complicated for the strongest clubs in the competition. But to get something – even a draw – against Barcelona they must be perfect. And have been quite far from that over the recent weeks.
Team News
Athletic Club will be quite depleted ahead of this game. Yeray Alvarez (illness), Mikel Balenziaga and Oscar De Marcos (both ankle) have been ruled out for this one.
As if those three absences were not enough, the presence of Iker Muniain and Iker Undabarrena is not decided yet. Both are dealing with knee injuries, and both will require a late-fitness test to determine their availability.
FC Barcelona
Few teams in Europe have been as good as FC Barcelona have been in LaLiga thus far. Los Blaugranas seem to have left the Spanish Super Cup loss against Real Madrid in the past, and they don’t seem to have rivals on the title race since they sit four points clear the second-placed team, Valencia. Ernesto Valverde finally found his Best XI and despite the injury from Ousmane Dembele, the manager has adjusted and Barca are clicking in all cylinders at the moment. The numbers back that up, as Los Blaugranas have won eight of their nine matches while scoring 26 goals and conceding just three. And they also have the top scorer in the league in Lionel Messi, who has scored 11 goals in just nine matches. When Messi is on fire and the defence is solid, few teams in the world can stop Barcelona.
Team News
Unfortunately and despite the team’s impressive form, Valverde won’t have a full-strength squad for this game. Both Aleix Vidal and Arda Turan have been ruled out by the medical staff due to ankle problems.
Rafinha (knee) and Ousmane Dembele (thigh) are doubtful, but both are not expected to feature in this one.
Key Factors to Consider
- FC Barcelona have won four the of past five matches across all competitions against Athletic Club, including the last two.
- Los Blaugranas have been absolutely dominant to start the season. They have won eight of their nine matches while scoring 26 goals and conceding just three.
- Athletic have not defeated Barcelona in league play since December 2013, and Barcelona have won the past three games played on Basque soil.
- Lionel Messi tends to score regularly against Bilbao, as he has found the back of the net 22 times in 31 matches against Saturday’s opponents.
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Barca have recorded 85 wins, Athletic 59 and there have been 28 draws to date. The head-to-head record clearly favours Ernesto Valverde’s side.
Conclusion
Athletic Bilbao have been a bit inconsistent during the current season, while Barcelona have been the best team in LaLiga by a wide margin. The visitors are likely to control the game and should win rather comfortably.
Expect them to be on top right from the start, so they are likely to find the back of the net at some point during the first 45 minutes.
Verdict: Barcelona to score during first half – yes
Best Odds: 4/9
Bookmaker: 888sport
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