Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao predictions for Sunday’s showdown in La Liga. La Liga titleholders Barcelona aim to reclaim their winning form in the premier Spanish league as they host Athletic Bilbao at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys this Sunday evening. Read on for our free betting tips and predictions.
Match Live Sunday, 22nd October at 8:00 pm In:
Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao Predictions
[wptb id="391213" not found ]Battle at Estadi Olimpic: Who Will Reign Supreme?
Key Stats
– Athletic’s Inaki Williams and Gorka Guruzeta have both bagged four goals this La Liga season.
– Barcelona boast an impressive 70% ball possession rate, highlighting their dominance in matches.
La Liga champions Barcelona are gearing up to reclaim their top spot as they prepare to host Athletic Bilbao at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys this Sunday. This matchup brings together two of the top-tier teams of the season, setting the stage for a riveting contest.
The Recent Form
Barcelona, under the leadership of Xavi, has showcased formidable form this season. From their opening nine matches, the Catalan team sits comfortably in third place, having garnered 21 points. Their impressive tally includes a six-win streak and three draws. Notably, Barcelona remains undefeated against Athletic Bilbao since August 2019 in Spain’s top flight. This record, combined with their recent 1-0 victory over Sevilla, means the team will be stepping onto the field with a robust morale. However, recent draws against teams like Getafe, Mallorca, and Granada indicate certain areas of concern for Xavi.
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On the other hand, Athletic Bilbao, after experiencing a minor hiccup with a 3-0 defeat against Real Sociedad, has managed to regain their momentum by trouncing Almeria 3-0. Ernesto Valverde’s boys, with 17 points from nine league games, currently occupy the fifth position. Their recent campaigns in La Liga suggest a steady performance, and this season they are very much in the hunt for a European spot.
Key Players To Watch Out For
Athletic’s dynamic duo, Inaki Williams and Gorka Guruzeta, have been in scintillating form, netting four goals each this season. However, an injury setback for Nico Williams, their top assist provider, will be a concern for Bilbao.
Barcelona, despite their injury woes, have a slew of talent. Players like Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde are set to return, bolstering their lineup. There’s a possibility of seeing star players like Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Frenkie de Jong for the highly anticipated El Clasico.
The Tactical Battle
A significant battle awaits in midfield. With Nico Williams absent for Athletic, much will depend on the likes of Dani Garcia and Ander Herrera. Barcelona, with their 70% ball possession rate, will look to dominate the middle of the park, making the contest between Gundogan, Romeu, and Gavi against Bilbao’s midfield a potential game-decider.
Expert Ratings & Analysis
Barcelona’s average expert rating for this season stands at 7.17. The standout players based on this metric include Pedri (8.05), João Cancelo (7.78), and Frenkie de Jong (7.63). The team’s strengths lie in their attacking prowess, with 21 goals from 9 matches, and a significant 70% ball possession. However, they’ve also conceded 10 goals, indicating a potential area of improvement.
Managerial Prowess
Both Xavi and Ernesto Valverde have showcased commendable tactical acumen. Xavi’s Barcelona, despite some hiccups, have shown promise, especially with their attacking intent. Valverde, with his experience, has managed to keep Athletic competitive. However, Xavi’s over-reliance on certain players and formations has raised eyebrows. A tad more flexibility might serve the Catalan side better in the long run.
Predictions
1. Match Result Prediction: Draw
Considering both teams’ form, it’s apparent that this match could be an evenly contested affair. Barcelona have displayed resilience, drawing matches even after trailing, as seen against Granada. Athletic, on the other hand, have shown consistency, winning and drawing in alternate fixtures recently. Given the recent form of both teams and the players unavailable for the match, a draw seems to be a plausible result. While Barcelona have the home advantage, Athletic’s recent away form can’t be overlooked. Moreover, with the key players absent on both sides, both teams might be a tad cautious, opting for a balanced approach.
2. Correct Score Prediction: 1-1
Building on the previous prediction, a low-scoring game might be on the cards. Barcelona’s firepower is slightly diminished due to injuries, but their defensive prowess, with players like Araujo deemed fit, ensures a solid backline. On the other side, Athletic, missing crucial players like Nico Williams, might find it challenging to breach the Barcelona defence frequently. Hence, a 1-1 scoreline seems probable. Both teams have the quality to score, but they might be evenly matched in keeping each other at bay for the majority of the match.
3. Goalscorer Prediction: Lamine Yamal
Lamine Yamal has been in decent form for Barcelona, stepping up in crucial moments, especially evident from his goal that helped salvage a draw against Granada. With key players like Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Pedri still absent, much of the goal-scoring responsibility will fall on Yamal. Given his recent form and Athletic’s defensive changes, it’s probable that Yamal finds himself on the scoresheet.
4. Corner Prediction: Barcelona to have more corners, Total corners: Over 10.5
Barcelona’s style of play has traditionally been about keeping possession and putting the opposition under sustained pressure. With a ball possession average of 70%, it’s clear that they dominate games. Such dominance often leads to numerous attacking plays, resulting in corners. Athletic, while resilient, might find themselves defending deep, leading to more corners conceded. Taking into account both teams’ styles, Barcelona having more corners seems likely. Additionally, considering the average corners per game and the attacking prowess both teams possess, a total of over 10.5 corners for the match seems a reasonable estimate.
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