Barcelona will look to keep their fading La Liga title hopes alive this weekend when they travel to Bilbao to face Athletic Club.
Depending on how rivals Real Madrid do, Barca could end this week anywhere between five and 11 points off of top spot.
Their next challenge is a rather sizeable one however as they take a trip to Champions League-chasing Athletic, who pummelled Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-finals in midweek.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of this clash in the Basque country.
Athletic Club vs Barcelona H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (all competitions)
|
Athletic Club |
Barcelona |
|---|---|
|
Athletic Club 3-0 Atletico Madrid – 29/2/24 |
Barcelona 4-0 Getafe – 24/2/24 |
|
Real Betis 3-1 Athletic Club – 25/2/24 |
Napoli 1-1 Barcelona – 21/2/24 |
|
Athletic Club 3-2 Girona – 19/2/24 |
Celta Vigo 1-2 Barcelona – 17/2/24 |
|
Almeria 0-0 Athletic Club – 12/2/24 |
Barcelona 3-3 Granada – 11/2/24 |
|
Atletico Madrid 0-1 Athletic Club – 7/2/24 |
Alaves 1-3 Barcelona – 3/2/24 |
|
Country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
LaLigaTV, Viaplay UK, Viaplay Sports 1 |
|
United States |
ESPN+, ESPN Deportes |
|
Canada |
TSN+ |
The major blow for Athletic comes from their suspension list, with star winger Nico Williams ruled out following a controversial red card in their defeat to Real Betis. Centre-back Daniel Vivian is also suspended.
In terms of injuries, Ernesto Valverde is set to be without former PSG duo Ander Herrera and Yuri Berchiche, who are not expected to return from hamstring injuries until later in March.
Athletic Club predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Agirrezabala; De Marcos, Yeray, Paredes, Lekue; De Galarreta, Prados; I. Williams, Sancet, Berenguer; Guruzeta
Xavi will have to contend without a quarter of stars for Sunday’s visit to San Mames.
La Masia products Alejandro Balde and Gavi have both been ruled out for the season, while Marcos Alonso is still recovering from a back injury. Ferran Torres is likely to miss out with a thigh problem.
Barcelona predicted lineup (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Cancelo; Christensen, De Jong, Gundogan; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Felix
Barcelona will hardly face more daunting trips away in La Liga this term and they were put to the sword here in last month’s Copa del Rey defeat.
Their saving grace is the absence of the younger Williams brother, but there are still plenty of factors – not least revenge on former manager Valverde’s part – that could yet swing this match back in favour of…
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