La Liga: Bilbao and Barca are Both Looking Upwards

Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona

Fifth plays third at the Saint Mames on Sunday when La Liga: Athletic Club vs Barcelona comes to town; and this is a huge game for both sides.

The hosts are just three points behind Atletico Madrid in fourth and, with sixth placed real Betis seven points further back, Bilbao can concentrate on climbing the table rather than worrying about a fall. Barcelona’s hopes of retaining their 2023 title looked to be slipping away but, with Girona’s recent loss of form and leaders Real Madrid dropping four points in the last four games it isn’t all over just yet.

The Blaugrana have won four of the last five and come into the game on the back of a thumping 4-0 win away to Getafe, while Athletic Club lost their last game 1-3 at home to Betis, before beating Atleti 3-0 in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg on Thursday.

Talking Points

Two days to prepare for buoyant Bilbao

In their aim to hunt down Atletico Madrid in the League, Bilbao had a huge boost on Thursday night when they swept Los Rojiblancos aside, 4-0 on aggregate, to take their place in the Copa del Rey final. The Williams brothers were both on target in the 3-0 win and in some style. Inaki opened the scoring with a spectacular volley when he got on the end of his brother’s cross, and then he returned the compliment, placing the ball on a plate for Nico to tap home, putting the tie to bed before the break. Gorka Guruzeta rounded off the scoring on the hour as Athletic Club coasted home and their fans can look forward to a showcase final, and one which they have a great chance of winning as Real Mallorca beat Real Sociedad on penalties to take their place in the final.

So the Basque club will welcome Barcelona in high spirits but Valverde has just two days to prepare his team. While in other Athletic Club vs Barcelona news the hosts will be missing their exciting winger, Nico Williams, who was red carded during the loss to Real Betis.

Barcelona are on the move

The pre-match Athletic Club vs Barcelona betting odds give the Blaugrana the edge in this game, and there is certainly a good feeling around Catalonia at the moment. In what will be Xavi’s last season as manager the players are stepping up, going on an unbeaten run since he made his announcement and they are looking for back-to-back league wins when they head to Saint Mames.

The Blaugrana’s win away to Getafe was particularly impressive as four players; Raphinha, Joao Felix, Frenkie de Jong and Fermin Lopez were all on target. Top scorer Robert Lewandowski had a strangely quiet game in the rout, neither scoring nor making an assist, but his rare day off is the exception. The lethal Pole scored Barca’s goal in the Champions League draw away to Napoli and he bagged both for his team in a 2-1 win over Celta Vigo, in their previous league game. Lewi issued a rallying call to his tem-mates in the run up to this game, saying: “We are at a point where winning can be really important for us as a team to gain confidence and move forward. We are at a good point. We have the whole week to work in training and prepare for the upcoming games.

“Some important players are going to come back from injury so we can have important, experienced players on the bench, not just youngsters. For everyone, it is important to win by two, three or four goals like we did against Getafe.”

16 year old Lamine Yamal is one of the young players Lewandowski is talking about. The winger has had a stunning breakout season. He was benched against Getafe and Xavi may be tempted to unleash the exciting young Spaniard against the Basque side.

History

Barcelona have won 38 of the last 60 meetings with Bilbao and 14 of the 30 matches at the Saint Mames Stadium, while Bilbao have won nine in total and eight of those at home. When the two teams met in Catalonia back in October the hosts ran out 1-0 winners thanks to an 80^th minute strike by Marc Guiu.

And recent form marginally favours Xavi’s side who have picked up four wins and two draws from the last six games while Bilbao have won four, drawn one and lost one.

Betting Tip

Athletic Club are at SBOTOP odds of 2.58 to win this game with the draw at 3.27 but this is a happy hunting ground for the Blaugrana and wit a whole week to prepare, compared with their hosts’ two days I think Xavi will get another win.

For an outside alternative, Barcelona to win 2-1 is at 8.68 and that might well be close to the mark.

 

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