Injuries and suspensions threaten to overshadow Athletic Bilbao’s La Liga (LL) clash with Barcelona, but with the hosts desperate for a win to stay in the top-six race, there’s no shortage of intrigue. The undercurrent of their manager Ernesto Valverde hosting his former employers aside, the need to halt a four-game competitive winless run (D1, L3) makes this game vital.
With their next three league games against current bottom-half teams, an adverse result here might not be catastrophic. Athletic’s recent seven-game competitive home form (W4, D1, L2) suggests San Mamés is hardly a fortress, but the Basque side have kept their Catalan visitors at bay in three of their last four LL H2Hs here (W1, D2, L1) indicating they may relish this challenge.
While the ‘Negreira corruption case’ threatens to engulf Barcelona off the field, they would have hoped for more plaudits for their on-field exploits. After a 1-0 win over Valencia last weekend, their tally of 18 clean sheets is the most in this century by a single club in any top-five European league after 24 games. Barcelona even won the last two LL H2Hs by a 4-0 scoreline, but with El Clásico following this trip, a defeat here could potentially see them start that game with just a six-point gap from Real Madrid.
That prospect adds to the importance of this game for Xavi’s men, who were defeated 1-0 by Almería in their last league trip. They haven’t lost consecutive away league games since October 2021, though, and are also unbeaten in their last ten league visits to the Basque country (W7, D3) which should help calm any pre-match nerves.
Players to watch: Nico Williams has seen his last four league goals come in Athletic wins, three times scoring their third goal of the match. That record could be challenged by Barcelona’s Raphinha, who has seen his last five league goals come in Barça wins, registering the match’s final goal three times, including against Valencia last time out.
Hot stat: Valverde has lost his last eight LL matches against Barça with his teams firing five consecutive scoring blanks.
