Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao Full Match 2023-24

La Liga champions Barcelona will be bidding to return to winning ways in Spain’s top flight when they welcome Athletic Bilbao to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. The Catalan outfit are currently third in the La Liga table, picking up 21 points from their opening nine matches of the campaign, while Athletic are fifth, boasting 19 points from their first nine games of 2023-24. Barcelona have won six and drawn three of their nine La Liga matches this season to collect 21 points, which has left them in third position in the division, three points behind the leaders Real Madrid.

Barcelona have a lengthy injury list at this moment in time, but Xavi said during his pre-match press conference that both Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde would be available following fitness problems. Sergi Roberto, Jules Kounde, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Frenkie de Jong and Pedri are still absent, but there are likely to be further returns over the next week. Lewandowski, Raphinha, De Jong and Pedri could all allegedly be back for El Clasico, which could be crucial, even this early in the campaign.

There were doubts over the availability of Ronald Araujo and Ilkay Gundogan following their international commitments, but the pair have been declared fit to start this match, while there is expected to be a return to the starting side for Oriol Romeu.

As for Athletic, Nico Williams, who is being heavily linked with a move to Barcelona, is absent due to a back complaint, while Yeray Alvarez is missing due to the muscle problem that he suffered against Almeria last time out. Aitor Paredes is expected to come into the side in place of Yeray, while Iker Muniain could get the nod in a wide area due to the absence of Nico Williams.

Mikel Vesga, Peru Nolaskoain and Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta are also on the sidelines through injury, which was also the case against Almeria last time out. Dani Garcia was on the scoresheet against Almeria and should retain his spot in central midfield alongside Ander Herrera, while Oscar de Marcos should again feature at right-back.

This has all of the makings of a fascinating match, and we are expecting Athletic to cause the Catalan outfit problems. Barcelona will again be missing a number of important players, but we are backing Xavi’s side to navigate their way to all three points in this contest.