The Supercopa de Espana features a clash between two of La Liga's most formidable teams at the King Abdullah Sports City in Riyadh as Athletic Bilbao take on Hansi Flick's Barcelona on Wednesday. Both teams have good players in their ranks and will want to win this game.
Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona Preview
Barcelona are in third place in the La Liga standings and have stuttered after a strong start to their league campaign. The Blaugrana eased past Barbastro by a 4-0 scoreline in the Copa del Rey in their previous game and will look to achieve a similar result this week.
Athletic Bilbao have shown marked improvement under Ernesto Valverde and are in good shape going into this game. Los Leones can be giant killers on their day and will look to be at their best in this fixture.
Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- Barcelona have an excellent recent record against Athletic Bilbao and have won 44 out of the last 69 matches played between the two teams, as opposed to Athletic Bilbao's 11 victories.
- Athletic Bilbao are unbeaten in their last 15 matches in all competitions, with their previous defeat coming by a 2-1 scoreline at the hands of Girona in a La Liga game in October last year.
- Barcelona were on a losing streak of two matches on the trot in all competitions before they secured a 4-0 victory against Barbastro in the Copa del Rey over the weekend.
- Athletic Bilbao have managed to remain unbeaten in three of their last five matches against Barcelona in all competitions but did lose their previous such game by a 2-1 scoreline in August last year.
- Barcelona have won only two of their last five matches in all competitions.
Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona Prediction
Barcelona have sacrificed defensive rigidity for a powerful attacking setup in the final third this season and have begun to bear the brunt of their decisions in recent weeks. With Lamine Yamal unlikely to be risked in this fixture, the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha will need to step up yet again for the Blaugrana.
Athletic Bilbao can pull off an upset on their day and will look to make the most of Barcelona's recent defensive woes. The Catalans are the better team on paper, however, and should be able to win this game.
Prediction: Athletic Bilbao 2-4 Barcelona
Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Barcelona to win
Tip 2: Game to have over 2.5 goals - Yes
Tip 3: Barcelona to score first - Yes