It’s the first competitive home game for Hansi Flick in La Liga this Saturday. Our Barcelona vs Athletic Club prediction considers whether his side can record a second victory of the campaign.
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Barcelona vs Athletic Club prediction: Lewandowski to strike in narrow home win
Key stats
- Our Barcelona vs Athletic Club betting tips take into account that 62% of Barca’s league wins last term came by a margin of exactly one goal.
- They’ve won all of their last six home matches in La Liga.
- Athletic have only won three of their last 10 league fixtures.
Correct score prediction: Barcelona 2-1 Athletic Club
Despite absentees, Barca found a way to win at Valencia on matchday one with the clinical finishing of Lewandowski making the difference. A repeat could be possible here as they don’t look at their best yet, but Athletic have problems too with some notable midfield absentees.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Home victory expected
- HOME: 4/6 (1.67) – 60.0%
- DRAW: 3/1 (4.00) – 25.0%
- AWAY: 19/5 (4.80) – 20.8%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The hosts are the favourites according to the Barcelona vs Athletic Club odds with an implied probability of 60.0% that they win the game.
Barca had to come from behind on matchday one at Mestalla, with Robert Lewandowski scoring either side of the break to seal a 2-1 win.
It was a slow start to the season for Athletic who were held to a 1-1 home draw by Getafe, despite a goal from Oihan Sancet.
For more picks, today’s free betting tips explore the action across Europe and beyond this weekend.
Most recent H2Hs: Few happy memories for Athletic
Our Barcelona vs Athletic Club prediction suggests it’ll be a sixth straight league defeat away to Barca for the Basques. They did beat the Catalans at San Mames in the Copa del Rey in extra time back in January.
Spain Primera Liga 03/03/24
Athletic Bilbao
Barcelona
Spain Copa del Rey 24/01/24
Athletic Bilbao
Barcelona
Spain Primera Liga 22/10/23
Barcelona
Athletic Bilbao
Spain Primera Liga 12/03/23
Athletic Bilbao
Barcelona
Spain Primera Liga 23/10/22
Barcelona
Athletic Bilbao
Barcelona preview: Gundogan to depart
Ilkay Gundogan’s departure should go some way to helping Barcelona new signing Dani Olmo get his registration issues cleared up, but it’s unclear whether he’ll play any part on Saturday. Gavi, Ronald Araujo and Frenkie de Jong are still out injured.
Predicted Lineup: Ter Stegen (GK), Balde, Martinez, Cubarsi, Kounde, Casado, Bernal, Pedri, Raphinha, Lewandowski & Lamine Yamal
Spain Primera Liga 31/08/24 W Valladolid 0 Barcelona 7 Spain Primera Liga 27/08/24 W Rayo Vallecano 1 Barcelona 2 Spain Primera Liga 24/08/24 W Athletic Bilbao 1 Barcelona 2 Spain Primera Liga 17/08/24 W Valencia 1 Barcelona 2 Elite Club Friendlies 12/08/24 L Monaco 3 Barcelona 0
Athletic Club preview: Barca target to start
Nico Williams, a transfer target for the opposition, should be ready to start, after only featuring off the bench last time out. Goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala is hoping to be fit enough to replace Alex Padilla between the sticks.
Predicted Lineup: Agirrezabala (GK), Yuri, Vivian, Yeray, Gorosabel, Herrera, Prados, Nico Williams, Sancet, Inaki Williams & Guruzeta
Spain Primera Liga 31/08/24 L Atletico Madrid 1 Athletic Bilbao 0 Spain Primera Liga 28/08/24 W Valencia 0 Athletic Bilbao 1 Spain Primera Liga 24/08/24 L Barcelona 2 Athletic Bilbao 1 Spain Primera Liga 15/08/24 D Getafe 1 Athletic Bilbao 1 Elite Club Friendlies 10/08/24 L VfB Stuttgart 4 Athletic Bilbao 0
Player to watch – Robert Lewandowski
After his opening weekend brace, Lewandowski is now on 44 goals in 70 appearances in La Liga overall. That’s not as good as his Bayern scoring record, but still not bad for a 36-year-old.
A big second half threat
Last season, it was after the break when the Polish striker did most of his damage. 63% of his goals in La Liga came in the second half.
