Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction & Betting Tips - LaLiga

Prediction published on 28/01/2021, 20:26  by Nella Wagah | Modified on 28/01/2021 at 20:31 in LaLiga Predictions

Barcelona will continue with their push for a high finish in La Liga when they host Athletic Club this Sunday. After 19 rounds, Barcelona have 37 points and are third while ninth placed Athletic have 24 points. It is increasingly looking hard for Barcelona to mount a successful title challenge, after a tough season. They are 10 points behind Atletico Madrid, who have played a game lesser. This match comes just under two weeks after these sides’ faceoff in the Super Cup, when Barca lost 3-2 and Messi was sent off. It will be the third meeting between the two this season. Messi has since returned and scored against Rayo Vallecano in the 2-1 win in Copa del Rey. Barcelona beat Athletic Club 3-2 in the earlier league meeting this season. They go to this clash unbeaten in nine league matches, with seven wins. The Catalan side has scored at least two goals in each of the last three matches and are unbeaten in the last six home matches in the league.

Seven of the last nine meetings between Barcelona and Athletic Club have produced under 2.5 goals but this looks different. The last two matches produced over 2.5 goals and ahead of this one, Athletic Club’s last six have all had three goals or more. The visiting side has no clean sheet in the six but have scored at least twice in the six. Their fighting spirit has not been in doubt by the fact they have come from behind in the last four matches, and won. However, it means they also lack defensive discipline. Their form in the league is not very encouraging though; they have three wins and only two clean sheets in the last 10 league matches. Away from home in the league, Athletic are winless in seven. They actually have one win and six losses in 10 away league matches. In terms of attack, they will have lesser worries with Raul Garcia fit – he has scored five in the last five matches. Athletic have scored in five straight away league matches.