Barça enjoyed a rare week off in-between games after their victory over Valencia, but are back in action tonight, looking to recover their nine point lead in La Liga after Los Blancos saw off Espanyol at the Bernabeu.
Suffering only two defeats in the league after 24 games, Xavi's men have been imperious in La Liga and are currently favorites to win the title this season. Every game is a final now, and it starts tonight at San Mames.
The home side had a great start to the season but have trailed off recently, winning just one of their last five games in all competitions which have seen them drop to ninth position.
They remain four points behind sixth placed Villarreal however, so a finish in a European spot isn't far from reality. Can they get anything out of this fixture though?
INTERESTING STATS
- Barcelona have won 29 games out of the 45 encounters between the two teams. They have only lost seven times.
- Athletic Bilbao midfielder Oihan Sancet has scored eight goals in 22 league starts this season.
- Striker Gorka Guruzeta who has started just seven league games this season has five goals to his name.
- Robert Lewandowski is leading the race for the La Liga golden boot and has 20 goal contributions in 19 league starts for Barcelona this season.
- Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele has ten goal contributions in 14 league starts in the ongoing season.
- In the last four years, Athletic have knocked Barça out of the Copa del Rey twice and also the Spanish Super Cup once. But despite those slips in knockout competitions, the Catalans have remained solid in the league, losing just one of their last 18 meetings with the Basques.
Last five meetings
23/10/22 (LIGA) Barça 4-0 Athletic
27/02/22 (LIGA) Barça 4-0 Athletic
20/01/22 (COPA DEL REY) Athletic 3-2 Barça
21/08/21 (LIGA): Athletic 1-1 Barça
17/04/21 (COPA DEL REY): Athletic 0-4 Barça
TEAM NEWS
Athletic Club
Oihan Sancet, the Basque outfit's top scorer this season, will miss the game after being sent off in Vallecas last week. Unai Simon, Iñigo Lekue, Jon Morcillo and Ander Herrera are all sidelined due to injuries. Barça target Iñigo Martinez has recovered from his foot injury and will want to give a big performance to hopefully convince Alemany and co.
Julen Agirrezabala will continue to deputize in goal. The back four will likely comprise of Oscar De Marcos, Inigo Martinez, Yeray Alvarez, Yuri Berchiche.
Mikel Vesga and Dani Garcia will look to start as the double pivots in front of the defence. Nico Williams, Iker Muniain, and Alex Berenguer will team up in the midfield behind their star striker Inaki Williams. The Williams brothers will be key to Athletic Club's chances of getting anything from this game.
Barcelona
Pedri and Ousmane Dembele remain unavailable for selection, but are edging closer to a return. Ronald Araujo was sent off last weekend and won't be available until the Clasico. Robert Lewandowski has recovered from his hamstring problems and is in the squad again. Gavi is available after returning from suspension.
The rest of the team picks itself. TerStegen, Balde, Christensen, Koundé will retain their spots. After a brazen performance at the Bernabeu, Marcos Alonso might get the nod over Eric Garcia to complete the backline.
Sergio Busquets, Frank Kessie, Raphinha and Ferran Torres are all at risk of suspension and will have to tread carefully in San Mames, which might see Sergi Roberto get a nod in Midfield. Ansu Fati was unfortunately not given enough time to get into rhythm against Valencia but will likely get the nod over Torres in attack.
Where are Athletic Club vs Barcelona playing?
Location: Bilbao, Spain
Stadium: San Mames
Date: Sunday 12 March
Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
Referee: Jesus Gil Manzano
San Mames has become a sort of fortress for the home side, but when the big boys come to town, anything can happen, and it doesn't get bigger than Barcelona right now.
After seeing Los Blancos cut the gap to Six points, Xavi's men will be poised to grab all three points ahead of the potential title decider next weekend.
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