La Liga: Two Straight Wins is a Dream Start for Flick

Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao

Hansi Flick has set down a marker at Barcelona after they won their first La Liga game of the 2024-25 campaign against Villarreal (1-2), and they’re aiming for consecutive victories when they host Athletic Bilbao on Saturday night.

Barcelona were joined by Celta Vigo, Rayo Vallecano, and Valladolid on top of the standings because of last week’s La Liga 2024 results, but the Blaugrana could find themselves on top of the pack if they take care of business against Los Leones.

Athletic Bilbao were held to a 1-1 draw by Getafe last time out, but the bigger concern for Ernesto Valverde’s side is how they’ll cope without a full squad (compared to Barcelona).

The pre-game SBOTOP betting odds are in favour of the hosts, but the visitors have shown the capability to take points from this fixture, so we shouldn’t count them out.

 

Talking Points

Barcelona face midfield conundrum

Barcelona made a successful comeback against Valencia last week, despite having a makeshift midfield. With limited depth at his disposal, Hansi Flick decided to go with youngsters Marc Casado and Marc Bernal in a double pivot.

Casado and Bernal looked shaky in the opening stages of the match, but both grew into the proceedings as the game went on.

Pedri came in as a sub during the 64^th minute, and he did well in his return. Perhaps Hansi Flick will start him against Athletic Bilbao. Fermin Lopez is also an option since he has returned to train with the first team.

Frenkie de Jong and Gavi are still sidelined due to injuries, while Ilkay Gundogan just confirmed his return to Manchester City via a free transfer, leaving a hole in their midfield.

Dani Olmo, Barca’s prized acquisition this summer, was supposed to play last week. But, as it turns out, the Blaugrana weren’t able to register him.

According to reports, Gundogan’s departure is not enough to officially add the Euro 2024 standout, so don’t be surprised if Olmo sits another match out.

Either way, Barcelona will continue to ride the hot hand of Robert Lewandowski, who scored a brace last time out.

 

Athletic Bilbao miss their top goalie

Athletic Bilbao’s 1-1 draw against Getafe was a disappointing start to their campaign since they would’ve easily won it.

After Oihan Sancet put Los Leones up 1-0 just before the half-hour mark, Getafe rallied in the second half and found the equaliser after Christantus Uche headed Luis Milla’s corner into the goal during the 64^th minute.

Some fans argue that the equaliser would’ve been prevented if Unai Simon was guarding the goal instead of Alex Padilla.

Padilla, 20, was inserted into the starting lineup due to the team’s lack of goalkeeping depth, with Unai Simon sidelined for months following wrist surgery and Julen Agirrezabala dealing with a back injury.

Assuming everything goes to plan, Agirrezabala should man the sticks on Saturday since he is back training with the first team.

 

History

Barcelona haven’t lost any of their last 22 home matches against Athletic Bilbao (W19, D3) since a 2-1 loss in November 2001. Furthermore, Athletic Bilbao have won just one of their last 21 La Liga meetings with Barcelona (D4, L16), which was a 1-0 result in August 2019 at San Mames.

Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 1-0 in their first league match last season, but Los Leones bounced back with a huge 4-2 victory to eliminate the Blaugrana in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals in January. And then both sides shared the spoils in a goalless draw in their previous La Liga meeting in March.

The hosts have now won their last five La Liga matches, but they haven’t enjoyed a longer run of consecutive wins in the league since a period between January and February 2023, when they notched seven straight under Xavi.

 

Betting Tip

As mentioned, the La Liga 2024 odds like the host’s chances to win this weekend. Barcelona are priced at 1.64 to win, whereas Athletic Bilbao are 4.56 underdogs, and a draw is at 3.68 in the 1X2 market.

This fixture has featured several low-scoring games lately, as there has been only one goal between them in their two league meetings last term.

So, other than our recommended bet above, check out alternatives like Under 3.00 at 1.70, Under 2.50 at 2.19, Total Goal 2-3 at 2.02, or even Total Goal 0-1 at 3.65.

Meanwhile, a Correct Score of 4-2 – the result of their Copa del Rey meeting in January – has a staggering offer of 225.00, which is interesting to say the least.

   

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