Supercopa de Espana: Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona – Preview, Team News, Potential XI, H2H, and Prediction 3ae61

Familiar foes Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona will battle it out in the first semi-final of the Supercopa de Espana in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, 8th January. 

The winner of the game will meet either Real Madrid or Mallorca in the Supercopa de Espana final on Sunday, the 12th of January.

Supercopa de Espana: Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona – Preview 3e681c

Athletic Bilbao 1h4d2k

One of the three teams — Real Madrid and Barcelona being the other two — to never be relegated from La Liga, Athletic Bilbao have been in fine form this season. Under the tutelage of Ernesto Valverde, Athletic have played with gusto and confidence. They have not been the most flamboyant team, but their defending has been top-notch, which has helped them amass 36 points from 19 games in the Spanish top flight.

Bilbao are currently on a 15-game unbeaten run in all competitions (10 W, 5 L). Since the beginning of their unbeaten run on 6th October, Bilbao have beaten some high-quality opponents, including reigning Spanish champions Real Madrid (2-1). In their last Spanish top-flight outing, Valverde’s men picked up a 2-1 victory over CA Osasuna away from home.

Barcelona 323w19

With Hansi Flick at the helm, Barcelona enjoyed a breathtaking start to the 2024-25 La Liga season. The Blaugrana won 11 of their first 12 La Liga games, with Osasuna being the only team to stop them.

However, Barca have not been at their best lately, conceding cheap goals and failing to take their chances in the final third. Since November 11, the Catalans have played 10 games in all competitions, winning four matches, drawing two, and losing four. All four of their defeats as well as both of those draws have come in La Liga in just seven outings, causing them to slip from first place to third in the rankings.

Flick’s team have picked up 38 points from 19 La Liga matches this season. They are only two points ahead of Athletic Bilbao.

Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona – Team News, Potential XI, and Head-to-Head 2m5m3a

Bilbao will be without Yeray Alvarez and Oihan Sancet for the Supercopa de Espana semi-final, as they are both on the treatment table. Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta is also doubtful for the game.

Potential XI: Simon; Gorosabel, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche; Herrera, Jauregizar; Inaki Williams, Berenguer, Nico Williams; Guruzeta

Lamine Yamal, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Marc Bernal, and Andreas Christensen are out injured while Dani Olmo and Pau Victor are not eligible to play after Barca failed to them.

Potential XI: Pena; Kounde, Araujo, Garcia, Balde; Gavi, Pedri, Lopez; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Torres

Head-to-Head 484w15

Bilbao and Barcelona have locked horns 242 times in all competitions. Barca have won 122 times, Bilbao 80 times, and 40 games have ended in a draw.

Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona – Prediction 665x3k

Barcelona have not been at their best in recent games, and we are afraid Bilbao are a tad too strong and organized for them at the moment.

Our prediction: Bilbao 2-1 Barcelona