Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao Predictions

Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao predictions for this highly-anticipated La Liga contest. Barcelona aim for consecutive La Liga wins as they host Athletic Bilbao at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Saturday night. Read on for our free betting tips and predictions.

La Liga | Aug 24, 2024 at 5.30pm UK at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys

Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao Predictions

Can Athletic Bilbao Stand Firm Against Barcelona’s Rising Momentum?

• Barcelona average 8 corners per game, indicating a high likelihood of set-pieces.
• Athletic Bilbao have conceded 1 goal in each of their last two matches, reflecting defensive vulnerabilities.
• Robert Lewandowski has scored twice in his last outing, proving his form and threat in front of goal.

Best Bet

As Barcelona prepare to host Athletic Bilbao at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Saturday night, all eyes will be on how the Catalan giants build on their strong start to the La Liga season. Fresh off a comeback win against Valencia, new manager Hansi Flick will look to continue his winning ways against a traditionally tough opponent. Athletic Bilbao, meanwhile, will aim to recover from a disappointing 1-1 draw against Getafe in their opener, hoping to make a statement against one of Spain’s top clubs.

The first prediction focuses on a Barcelona victory combined with both teams finding the net. Given the current dynamics, this outcome seems highly probable.

Barcelona’s attack is clearly in good shape, with Robert Lewandowski netting twice to secure the win against Valencia. Despite a slow start in that match, Barcelona demonstrated resilience, a trait that will be crucial against an Athletic Bilbao side eager to prove themselves. Athletic, although solid in some aspects, struggled in their opener, conceding to Getafe and showing vulnerabilities that Barcelona are well-equipped to exploit.

Barcelona’s attacking prowess, particularly with the addition of Dani Olmo, who could make his debut, suggests that they will not be short of firepower. Olmo’s creativity, combined with the experience and finishing ability of Lewandowski, should ensure that Barcelona score at least once, if not more. Moreover, the return of Pedri, likely starting in the number 10 role, will add further depth to their offensive options, making it difficult for Athletic’s defence to cope.

On the other side, Athletic are not without their own threats. With Nico Williams likely to start, their chances of breaching Barcelona’s defence are significant. Williams, who was a target for Barcelona over the summer, will be motivated to prove his worth and could be the key to unlocking a Barcelona backline that has shown signs of vulnerability, particularly with the absence of key defenders like Ronald Araujo. This setup makes it plausible for Athletic to find the back of the net, even if they ultimately fall short of a victory.

“Barcelona’s ability to come from behind against Valencia showcased their attacking strength, but their defensive frailties suggest both teams could easily score in this fixture,” says BettingTips4You.com expert Gerard Gabasa. “Given Athletic’s potential in attack, this looks like a match where both sides will contribute to the scoreline.”

Additional Prediction

The next prediction centres on the total corners in the match exceeding 9.5. This line of thought aligns with the attacking styles of both teams and their tendency to drive play towards the opposition’s goal.

Barcelona, with an average of 8 corners per game in their last match, are a side that generates plenty of set-piece opportunities. Their full-backs and wingers are particularly adept at forcing defensive interventions, leading to corners. With players like Alejandro Balde and Lamine Yamal likely to play crucial roles on the flanks, the Catalan side will undoubtedly look to exploit width, thereby increasing the chance of corner kicks.

Similarly, Athletic Bilbao, who managed 5 corners against Getafe, also favour wide play. With the return of Nico Williams, a player known for his pace and crossing ability, Athletic could increase their corner count as well. Even though Barcelona are likely to dominate possession, Athletic’s ability to hit on the counter-attack should see them earn a fair share of corners.

Combining these factors, a match total of over 9.5 corners seems not only feasible but likely, given the offensive focus both teams are expected to adopt.

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