Barcelona are back at Camp Nou after a two-year absence as they host Athletic Bilbao in a Spanish La Liga fixture. The Catalans are looking to maintain the pressure on the league leaders, while the visitors are struggling to find some traction for their campaign.
Robert Lewandowski’s hat-trick helped Barcelona claim a 4-2 victory at Celta Vigo in their previous La Liga fixture. That result kept them within touching distance of leaders Real Madrid as they sit just three points off the pace.
Despite not playing at Camp Nou for two years, Barcelona are usually solid in front of their fans, winning five of their last six matches in all competitions at their adopted home. Among the results for Hansi Flick's side on this run is a 6-0 victory over Valencia, while they also triumphed 6-1 over Olympiacos in the UEFA Champions League.
Athletic Bilbao were also victorious last time out in La Liga, beating Real Oviedo 1-0 thanks to Nico Williams’ first-half effort. It was a timely result for Ernesto Valverde's men, who had gone into that clash off the back of three straight defeats.
The Basque club have been well below their best this season and one of the issues is a poor record on their travels. They are winless in their last six away matches in all competitions, losing five times on this run.
How the bookies view it: Barcelona overwhelming favourites
Barcelona have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies, with a home win priced at 4/9 by William Hill. An unlikely victory for Athletic Bilbao is valued at 11/2 with Paddy Power, while a draw is set at odds of 17/4 by bet365.
Head to head: Dominant Barcelona
Barcelona often dominate this fixture and are unbeaten in the last 15 matches against Athletic Bilbao. The Catalans have claimed 10 wins on this run, including a 3-0 away victory in the last meeting back in May.
Players to watch: Red-hot Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski looked back to his best last time out at Celta Vigo, having scored a hat-trick. The striker also grabbed a brace in the last meeting with Athletic Bilbao and could be the one to watch (Robert Lewandowski anytime goalscorer – priced at 4/5 by CORAL).
Nico Williams netted his second La Liga goal for the season last time out and will be keen to go on a scoring run. The forward could be worth keeping an eye on (Nico Williams anytime goalscorer – valued at odds of 4/1 by bet365).
Probable line-ups:
Barcelona are likely to be without Gavi, Pedri, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha through injury, while Frenkie de Jong is suspended following a red card last time out. Lewandowski should lead the line once again, with support from Marcos Rashford and Ferran Torres.
Inaki Williams and Maroan Sannadi are among a lengthy injury list for Athletic Bilbao and will miss Saturday's clash. Gorka Guruzeta is likely to feature in attack while Aymeric Laporte is set to continue at the back.
Barcelona: Szczesny, Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde, Casado, Olmo, Lopez, Torres, Rashford, Lewandowski.
Athletic Bilbao: Simon, Gorosabel, Vivian, Laporte, Berchiche, Rego, Jauregizar, Berenguer, Sanchez, Williams, Guruzeta.
Anything else catch the eye?
Barcelona have won by two clear goals in the last two matches against Athletic Bilbao (Barcelona -1 handicap – available at 23/20 on William Hill). The Catalans have led at the break in their last two home matches (Barcelona halftime win – offered at 10/11 Ladbrokes).
The hosts have scored over 2.5 goals in four of their last five matches in all competitions (Barcelona over 2.5 goals – set at odds of 11/8 by William Hill).
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