Barcelona vs Athletic Club predictions and stats: Will Blaugrana build on winning start?
Barcelona will look to continue their winning start to the La Liga season when they host Athletic Club on Saturday.
The Blaugrana came from behind to beat Valencia 2-1 in a close battle on the opening weekend, thanks to a brace from veteran striker Robert Lewandowski. Athletic Club, meanwhile, surrendered a half-time lead to draw 1-1 at home to Getafe.
Three predictions for Barcelona vs Athletic Club
Barcelona 2-0 Athletic Club (8/1 with William Hill)
Barcelona have won each of their last five home league matches against Athletic Club, keeping four clean sheets and conceding only one goal along the way. The Blaugrana are on a six-match winning run at home in La Liga.
Robert Lewandowski First Goalscorer (19/5 with BetUK)
Lewandowski’s brace against Valencia last time out extended an excellent run of form in La Liga, with the Polish striker ending last season with six goals in his last six league outings. Against Athletic Club, Lewandowski has scored two goals in four previous appearances, including one in a 4-2 Copa del Rey defeat in January.
Barcelona to win to nil (2/1 with SkyBet)
Barcelona have conceded just one goal in their last five home league meetings with Athletic Club, winning all of them. The Blaugrana also won their last two home matches of the 2023/24 season by a 5-0 aggregate scoreline, beating Real Sociedad and Rayo Vallecano 2-0 and 3-0, respectively.
How both teams go into Barcelona vs Athletic Club
After losing the title to Real Madrid last season, Barcelona will be looking to regain their crown. However, it’s been a lean period for the Blaugrana, who have won just one of the last five La Liga titles, only lifting one Copa del Rey and one Spanish Super Cup. Hansi Flick made a great start to life in the dugout as his side came from a goal down to win 2-1 away at Valencia on the opening weekend. Lewandowski’s double ensured his former Bayern Munich boss gave a good introduction to Barcelona supporters.
As for Athletic Club, they enjoyed an excellent 2023/24 campaign, finishing fifth in La Liga and winning the Copa del Rey following a run of six consecutive final defeats between 1985 and 2021. The Basque side lost just eight of their 38 league matches last season and will be aiming for a big campaign, but will be disappointed in their 1-1 draw at home to Getafe to open the new campaign.
Much focus in this match will be given to Nico Williams, who came off the bench against Getafe following his leading role in Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph, but remains intensely linked to Barcelona.
Barcelona host Athletic Club at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Saturday at 6pm (UK time).
Barcelona latest team news
Ansu Fati, Dani Olmo, Gavi and Frenkie de Jong are all fitness doubts for this match, while Barcelona will be without Ronald Araujo and Ilkay Gundogan. Pedri managed 26 minutes from the bench against Valencia and will hope for a more prominent role this time out.
Athletic Club latest team news
Athletic Club will have to make do without first-choice goalkeeper Unai Simon, who is nursing a wrist injury, while summer arrival Alvaro Djalo is out until early September with a thigh injury.
It’ll be interesting to see whether or not Nico Williams is included in the starting line-up or wider squad given his transfer dance with Barcelona this summer.
Barcelona vs Athletic Club head-to-head
Barcelona are winless in their last two matches against Athletic Club across all competitions, but have won their last five home league matches against them with just one goal conceded.
| Barcelona vs Athletic Club H2H | |||||||
| Date | Score | Ground | |||||
| 03/03/24 | Athletic Club 0-0 Barcelona | San Mames, Bilbao | |||||
| 24/01/24 | Athletic Club 4-2 Barcelona | San Mames, Bilbao | |||||
| 22/10/23 | Barcelona 1-0 Athletic Club | Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona | |||||
| 12/03/23 | Athletic Club 0-1 Barcelona | San Mames, Bilbao | |||||
| 23/10/22 | Barcelona 4-0 Athletic Club | Camp Nou, Barcelona | |||||
| 27/02/22 | Barcelona 4-0 Athletic Club | Camp Nou, Barcelona | |||||
How to watch Barcelona vs Athletic Club live
Barcelona host Athletic Club on Saturday at 6pm (UK time), with the match broadcast live in the UK on Premier Sports 1.
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