Barcelona will be looking to maintain their impressive La Liga form when they take on Athletic Bilbao at the San Mames Stadium on Sunday.
The Catalans are six points clear at the top despite having played a game less than second-placed Real Madrid.
Xavi’s men registered a slender 1-0 win over Valencia last weekend. Raphinha fired the opener in the 16th minute to put his side in control.
But Barca suffered a big blow early in the second half after Ronald Araujo was dismissed for a professional foul on Hugo Duro.
However, despite being reduced to 10 men, the Blaugrana held on for a 1-0 success.
Bilbao played out a goalless draw at Rayo Vallecano in their most recent La Liga match.
That was a good result for Ernesto Valverde’s side who had entered the contest on the back of three successive defeats in all competitions.
The Basque outfit suffered back-to-back losses to Atletico Madrid and Girona in the Spanish top-flight before picking up a disappointing 1-0 result at Osasuna in the first-leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final tie.
Athletic Club will host Los Rojillos at the San Mames Stadium for the second leg early next month.
Match Preview
Athletic Bilbao
Ernesto Valverde’s side have been unconvincing this season, winning just nine of their 24 matches to be ninth in the league standings.
They are enduring a disappointing run of form as they are winless in their previous three matches in the Spanish top-flight.
Bilbao have also kept just one clean sheet in their last eight league games, conceding 12 goals in that period.
Barcelona
The Blaugrana made some considerable investments in the summer transfer window, signing the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Kounde.
They failed in Europe this season, but the same cannot be said about their domestic campaign.
Barca have been excellent in La Liga, winning 20 of their 24 games. The Catalans haven’t won the league title for the last three seasons but are on course to end that record this term.
Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona potential line-ups
Athletic Bilbao: Agirrezabala; De Marcos, Vivian, I Martinez, Lekue; Zarraga, Vesga; N Williams, Muniain, I Williams; Guruzeta.
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Kounde, Christensen, Balde; F de Jong, Busquets, Kessie; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Gavi.
How to Watch?
Bilbao vs Barcelona, alongside all other fixtures in Spain’s top flight, is available to watch online via live La Liga streams.
Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona prediction
Barcelona will be missing some key players on Sunday. Pedri and Ousmane Dembele are close to returning but are unavailable for selection this weekend. Ronald Araujo is suspended.
However, we are still backing Xavi’s men to come away with three points. The San Mames stadium hasn’t been an easy place for opponents this season and Bilbao will provide a difficult contest.
Despite this, Barca still possess enough quality to come out on top on Sunday.
Athletic Bilbao 1-2 Barcelona
