Athletic Club vs. Barcelona: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

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Athletic Club vs. Barcelona: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Barcelona have decidedly dominated Athletic Club during the Hansi Flick era.

Roberto Casillas

By Roberto Casillas

10:00 PM EST

Barcelona havenât lost in six straight meetings against Athletic Club.

Barcelona havenât lost in six straight meetings against Athletic Club. / Visionhaus

Barcelona visit Athletic Club on Saturday night looking to defeat them for a third time this term to continue their strong pace atop the La Liga title race.

The Catalans have capitalized on Real Madridâs recent blunders to take a four point lead atop the standings. Now, they have a chance to continue the positive momentum against a side theyâve already beaten twice this term by an aggregate score of 9â0.

Athletic Club have failed to replicate the success they experienced a season ago, currently in ninth after making the Champions League last term. Barcelona can take advantage of a mediocre side to get over their recent heartbreak against AtlÃ©tico Madrid.

Both teams saw their Copa del Rey dreams come to an end midweek, meaning the two sides will be eager to get over that disappointment quickly with a victory on Saturday.

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Barcelona vs. Athletic Club Score Prediction

Catalans to Continue Cruising Against Familiar Victim

Raphinha had three goal involvements last time out against Athletic Club. / Maciej Rogowski/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

Despite seeing their Copa del Rey title defense come to an end midweek, the performance in the second leg against AtlÃ©tico showed Barcelona the blueprint to follow in what remains of the term.

Hansi Flickâs men not only created chance after chance but also suffocated AtlÃ©ti for the full 90 minutes. Furthermore, BarÃ§aâs heavily criticized defense played its best game of the season, deploying Flickâs system to perfectionâeven with two injuries during the match.

Athletic Club will feel confident at home, but San MamÃ©s has been far from a fortress this season and with some key absences it might be hard to contain a motivated BarÃ§a side thirsty for revenge.

Barcelona heavy favorites in head-to-head record: The Catalans have won 11 of the past 15 meetings between the two clubs, losing just twice in that stretch. Furthermore, Barcelona have won all five meetings during the Flick era by an aggregate score of 16â1.
Foolâs Gold: Itâs true that Athletic have won three of their last four in La Liga without a single defeat, but those results have come against Real Oviedo, Levante, Elche and Rayo Vallecano, all teams immersed in the relegation battleâwith two of them all but relegated already.
Yamal, Torres and Raphinha: Barcelonaâs expected front three for Saturdayâs clash have registered a combined eight goal involvements in the two games vs. Athletic Club this season.

Prediction: Athletic Club 0â2 Barcelona

Athletic Club Predicted Lineup vs. Barcelona

Ernesto Valverde will deploy his strongest XI / FotMob

Ernesto Valverde must work around the long-term absences of BeÃ±at Prados, Unai Egiluz and Maroan Sannadi. Yet no absence is more delicate than that of Nico Williams, who continues to battle a groin issue thatâs compromised him all season and threatens his availability for the 2026 World Cup.

Fortunately for Athletic Club, IÃ±igo RuÃz de Galarreta avoided a serious injury in the midweek clash against Real Sociedad and should start next to Mikel Jauregizar and behind the always menacing Oihan Sancet.

But the best piece of news for the hosts is that Aymeric Laporte has recovered from injury, restoring his center back partnership with Daniel Vivian. The return of the former Manchester City man has been crucial for Athleticâs recent good run of results.

Athletic Club predicted lineup vs. Barcelona (4-2-3-1) : SimÃ³n; Areso, Vivian, Laporte, Berchiche; Jauregizar, De Galarreta; Williams, Sancet, Berenguer; Guruzeta

Barcelona Predicted Lineup vs. Athletic Club

Barcelona can ill-afford another defensive injury. / FotMob

Fresh injuries to starting fullbacks Jules KoundÃ© and Alejandro Balde have Barcelonaâs backline devoid of depth. Gerard MartÃn will replace Balde at left back with Eric GarcÃa returning from suspension to partner Pau CubarsÃ in the heart of defense.

Given the recent developments, Barcelona must be glad they pulled the trigger on JoÃ£o Canceloâs loan back in January. The Portuguese has starred in his two latest appearances and his presence alone is vital to replace KoundÃ©.

Elsewhere, the blossoming Marc Bernal will fill the void of injured Frenkie de Jong, partnering Pedri in the midfield pivot. Robert Lewandowski should be available from the bench after fracturing his eye-socket, but Ferran Torres is poised to lead the line for a third straight game.

Barcelona Predicted Lineup vs. Athletic Club (4-2-3-1) : J. GarcÃa; Cancelo, CubarsÃ, E. GarcÃa, MartÃn; Bernal, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Torres