FC Barcelona
vs
Athletic Bilbao
Kick-off
15:15 GMT
04 February 2017
The Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao match will be played on Saturday, February 4th, 2017 at the Camp Nou in Barcelona. This is matchday 21 in the 2016/17 La Liga season. Barcelona are 2nd with 42 points while Athletic are 7th with 32 points.
The two sides have already met 3 times this season. In La Liga, Barcelona won 1-0 in Bilbao on August 28th, 2016. In the Copa Del Rey, Bilbao won the home leg of their tie 2-1 but Barcelona won the second leg 3-1 on January 11th, 2017.
Athletic’s last win in Barcelona was in November 2001. Since then, Barcelona have won 15 and drawn 4 of their meetings with Athletic in the Camp Nou. Head to head matches: FC Barcelona - Athletic Bilbao
11.01.2017
Copa
FC Barcelona
Athletic Bilbao
3:1
05.01.2017
Copa
Athletic Bilbao
FC Barcelona
2:1
28.08.2016
LaLi
Athletic Bilbao
FC Barcelona
0:1
Barcelona go into this game with a reasonably clean bill of health. Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Lucas Digne are all likely to feature on the bench, as they complete their return from injury.
Ivan Rakitic and Arda Turan will most likely continue as the midfield base with the trio targeting a return to first team football in the second leg of the Copa Del Rey tie against Atletico Madrid.
The midweek win in the first leg in Madrid is some small revenge for last season’s Champions League but the Blaugrana are focussed on chasing down Real Madrid.
Two draws in their last 4 games left them 4 points behind Real, who had been wobbling (by La Liga standards) with a defeat and draw in their last 6.
The second Clasico of the season comes 5 games before the end of the season; if Barca haven’t caught Real by that point, they can kiss goodbye to the title and Luis Enrique probably his job, unless the Champions League is still winnable. Latest matches: FC Barcelona
01.02.2017
Copa
Atletico Madrid
FC Barcelona
1:2
W
29.01.2017
LaLi
Betis Sevilla
FC Barcelona
1:1
D
26.01.2017
Copa
FC Barcelona
Real Sociedad
5:2
W
22.01.2017
LaLi
SD Eibar
FC Barcelona
0:4
W
19.01.2017
Copa
Real Sociedad
FC Barcelona
0:1
W
Ernesto Valverde takes his Bilbao side to the Camp Nou knowing they are the ‘sacrificial lambs’. Nobody expects them to gain any points from the fixture which eases the pressure on them to some extent.
Kepa and Sabin Merino are both injured but Eneko Boveda and Elustondo are expected to make the matchday squad. Aymeric Laporte is almost certain to be passed fit and should be alongside Eneko Boveda at the heart of the Bilbao defence.
Chances are likely to be at a premium but the Basques know they are far superior to Barcelona in the air. The Blaugrana are the side in La Liga with the best stats for possession and passing accuracy but Athletic are second only to Real Madrid for winning aerial duals.
Since the beginning of December, only Real Betis has beaten Athletic in La Liga, with Bilbao regaining their durability. Valverde will hope they continue to be difficult to beat this weekend. Latest matches: Athletic Bilbao
29.01.2017
LaLi
Athletic Bilbao
Sporting Gijon
2:1
W
22.01.2017
LaLi
Athletic Bilbao
Atletico Madrid
2:2
D
14.01.2017
LaLi
CD Leganes
Athletic Bilbao
0:0
D
11.01.2017
Copa
FC Barcelona
Athletic Bilbao
3:1
L
08.01.2017
LaLi
Athletic Bilbao
CD Alaves
0:0
D
It’s a Barcelona home game and nobody generally gives the opposition a hope of taking a point, let along winning. With Athletic’s appalling record in the Camp Nou, it’s hard to see them taking anything other than nil points from this match.
If there is to be a shock or upset, it’s vital that Iker Muniain keeps a good supply line to Aduritz and Raul Garcia open.
Even then facing the mighty Messi, Suarez and Neymar trident, it’s hard to see Athletic’s back four stopping Barcelona from scoring at least 3 goals.
04 February 2017 - 15:15 GMT
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