Barcelona host Athletic Club on Sunday night hoping for the chance to reduce the gap on current La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
Xavi’s side have dropped three points off the early pace set by Madrid after draws with Mallorca and Granada before the October international break and need a league win here before El Clasico at the end of the month.
They face Athletic Club, who have been largely solid with five wins, two draws and two defeats in their first nine games.
Here’s what you need to know about the game on Sunday.
Barcelona vs Athletic Club H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Current form (all competitions)
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Country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
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United Kingdom |
LaLigaTV, Viaplay UK, Viaplay Sports 1, ITV 4, ITVX, |
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United States |
ESPN, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes |
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Canada |
TSN+, TSN2 |
Barcelona are without six prominent first-team squad members when Athletic visit on Sunday night. Robert Lewandowski, Frenkie de Jong, Raphinha, Jules Kounde and Sergi Roberto are unavailable with injuries of varying significance.
Ilkay Gundogan may get the nod over Fermin Lopez in midfield alongside Oriol Romeu and Gavi, while Andreas Christensen will partner Ronald Araujo in central defence.
There were fears over 16-year-old Lamine Yamal’s fitness as he missed Spain duty with a muscle problem, but he has since been pictured in Barca training and should pull through. Barca hope Pedri will return in time for El Clasico.
Barcelona predicted lineup vs Athletic Club (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Cancelo, Christensen, Araujo, Balde; Gundogan, Romeu, Gavi; Yamal, Torres, Felix.
Nico Williams, younger brother of Athletic stalwart Inaki, is racing to be fit in time for Sunday evening’s fixture as he targets a first La Liga goal of the season.
Defender Yeray Alvarez is out injured again with a leg problem and will be sidelined for a few months, while Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Oscar De Marcos and Mikel Vesga are also unavailable to manager Ernesto Valverde.
Athletic Club predicted lineup vs Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Simon; Lekue, Parades, Vivian, Berchiche; Herrera, Garcia; I. Williams, Munian, N. Williams; Guruzeta.
Barcelona know few slip-ups can be afforded before the next international break in November as they hunt down La Liga leaders Real Madrid and Girona, who sit second.
Their head-to-head record with Athletic Club is favourable, winning the last three league meetings without conceding a goal. However, their attacking threat has been reduced somewhat by the injury suffered by Lewandowski.
There will be an onus on the likes of Joao Felix and Ferran Torres in attack to earn Barca victory over the Bilbao side who sit fifth, four points behind before kick-off. In a low-scoring affair, Xavi’s side may squeak over the line.
Prediction: Barcelona 1-0 Athletic Club
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