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Kick off: Wednesday, 27 January @20:30 GMT
Venue: Camp Nou (Barcelona)
Live Stream: fuboTV (US), bet365 (non-US)
Head to head record
Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona 1-2 (2015/2016 Copa del Rey)
Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao 6-0 (2015/2016 La Liga)
Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona 0-1 (2015/2016 La Liga)
Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao 1-1 (2015 Spanish Super Cup)
Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona 4-0 (2015 Spanish Super Cup)
Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao prediction
Barcelona will be aiming to record yet another win over Athletic Bilbao when the two sides face each other in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, second leg. Luis Enrique’s team are with one foot in the semis, but they can’t afford any complacency.
Barca eager to defend the trophy
Barcelona are on a six-game winning run in all competitions ahead of the Copa del Rey game against Athletic Bilbao. The Catalan giants did well to win the treble last season and they are keen on defending their trophies. Barca recorded a 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, first leg, and it has to be noted that both Luis Suarez and Leo Messi missed the game. The Catalan giants head into the game following a 2-1 win at Malaga in La Liga and thanks to the win Luis Enrique’s troops climbed to top position in the standings. Barcelona now aim to get their job done in Copa del Rey and the fact that they demolished Athletic Bilbao 6-0 earlier in January is giving the hosts a reason for optimism ahead of Wednesday’s encounter. Leo Messi will once again lead the line for the hosts and the opposition defenders are likely to have their work cut out for them when facing the Argentine ace.
Neymar is unlikely to recover in time to play against Athletic Bilbao. Luis Suarez returns to the starting line-up after he missed the first leg through suspension.
Mission impossible for Lions?
Athletic Bilbao coach Ernesto Valverde saw his men suffer a heavy 6-0 loss to Barcelona at Camp Nou earlier this month and, to make things even worse for the fans, the Lions were beaten by Barca in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, first leg at their San Mames Barria. Athletic Bilbao, though, gave fans something to cheer about at the weekend as they outclassed fellow Basque outfit Eibar in the local derby (5-2). Aritz Aduriz missed the first leg through suspension, but the experienced forward, who scored a brace against Eibar at the weekend, returns to contention and he is widely expected to lead the attack for the visitors against Barcelona. Anyhow, the visitors face an uphill task in the Camp Nou clash and I do not believe that they are capable of upsetting the Catalan giants, who are enjoying yet another successful season.
Goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz returns to the starting line-up after missing the Eibar game through suspension. The likes of Raul Garcia, Ibai Gomez and Iturraspe have yet to overcome their respective injuries.
Quick Facts
- Barcelona are eyeing their fourth consecutive win over Athletic Bilbao
- Barca scored nine goals in previous three meetings with Lions
- Luis Enrique’s men have netted 18 goals in previous four home fixtures
- Athletic Club conceded eight goals in last three away games
- Over 2.5 goals were scored in Athletic’s previous three matches
Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao betting tip
Barcelona are superior to Athletic Bilbao and seeing that the title holders have been impressive at their Camp Nou this season, there is every chance Luis Enrique’s men will clinch their place in the Copa del Rey semis with yet another win over the Basque outfit. Neymar misses the match with injury, but Luis Enrique has a number of top-class players to choose from and there is every chance the hosts will crush the Lions in the Camp Nou game. It is well known that Barca scored six goals in their last meeting with Bilbao in La Liga.
Tip: Barcelona/Barcelona
Odds: 1.95 (10/11) @BetVictor
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