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| Barcelona vs Athletic Club Preview | Image: FCB |
FC Barcelona have a sole aim of gathering all three points when they host Basque outfits Athletic Bilbao in their 21st game of the 2016/2017 La Liga season at the Camp Nou, hoping to close the gap on leaders Real Madrid who lie four points above the Catalan giants at the top of the log.
Barcelona went further below Real Madrid in the table after playing out a disappointing 1-1 draw vs Real Betis last week, but the bounced back in the Copa del Rey after beating Atletico Madrid 2-1 at the Calderon. Luis Enrique’s men will come into the game in full confidence given their superb record against the Basque club at Camp Nou which have seen them come out victors in every game of the last 14 years.
Barça have met Athletic Bilbao three times already this season, won twice and lost once.. Only one of the fixtures came at home, in the Copa del Rey quarter finals when Messi and Co helped them to a 3-1 win. Now, it’s win or burst as Barcelona cannot afford another slip up.
TEAM NEWS
Coach Luis Enrique stated in his pre match press conference that all three injured players in Sergio Busquets, Andrés Iniesta and Lucas Digne trained with the team ahead of the game, but there won’t be any risks and confirmation of their full fitness by the medics is required. This means no Barcelona player is injured for the game
For the visitors, goalkeeper Kepa is still carrying a serious knee injury and is out for the game while Sabin Merino and Etxeita are both doubtful after both missing their last game.
BARÇA VS ATHLETIC CLUB
Date: Saturday, February 4, 2017
Time: 4:15pm CET
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona
Referee: Jose Gonzalez Gonzalez
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Barcelona 3-1 Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Barcelona
Athletic Bilbao 0-1 Barcelona
Barcelona 3-1 Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao 1-2 Barcelona
FORM GUIDE
Barcelona: WWWWDW
Athletic Bilbao: WDLDDW
A MATCH FACT: In La Liga, Barcelona have won 12 games in a row at Camp Nou against the Athletic Bilbao; their best ever run at home against them.
HEAD-TO-HEAD: There have been 220 games between Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao, Barcelona won 110 (84 in La Liga), Athletic Bilbao won 74 (59 in La Liga), there have been 36 draws (28 in La Liga). Barça scored 408 goals (327 in La Liga) while Athletic Bilbao scored 315 (253 in La Liga) goals.
Predicted Barcelona Lineup: Marc-André Ter Stegen; Aleix Vidal, Gerard Piqué, Jérémy Mathieu, Lucas Digne; Denis Suarez, Javier Mascherano, André Gomes; Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar
Predicted Athletic Bilbao Lineup: Gorka Iraizoz; Oscar De Marcos, Yeray Alvarez, Aymeric Laporte, Mikel Balenziaga; Raul Garcia, Ander Iturraspe, Benat Etxebarria, Javier Eraso; Inaki Williams, Iker Muniain
BarcaLens Prediction: Barcelona always have it easy in La Liga at home vs Athletic Bilbao, Luis Enrique should rest players but that is unlikely, if he doesn’t, easy 4-0 win.