Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona Prediction & Betting Tips - LaLiga

Prediction published on 01/03/2024, 15:00  by Sridhar | Modified on 03/03/2024 at 07:00 in LaLiga Prediction

Top-four chasing Athletic Bilbao will be desperate to make their home record count as they host defending champions Barcelona. This La Liga game will be played at San Mames on Sunday, with the host starting this weekend in fifth place with 49 points and the visitors in third with 57 points. Only three points separate fourth-placed Atletico Madrid from Athletic, and the hosts will be keen to stay in that hunt. A defeat here won’t rule them out, but it will certainly see them fall further behind and weaken their chances. As such, Athletic will be desperate to improve on their recent form, having won, drawn, and lost two games each across their last six league games. That included a 3-1 loss to Real Betis last time out, and there’s perhaps no better place than home to change that poor record. Athletic have won their last seven home league games in a row and are likely to pose a threat.

Barcelona are only two points behind second-placed Girona, which could be a realistic position they may target. The recent uptick in form certainly vouches that the Catalans may be fancying their chances. A 4-0 thrashing of Getafe in their last game extended their impressive recent form. They have won seven of their last nine league games, losing just once to Villarreal. The scoring form seems to have come back too, with the visitors scoring 12 goals across their last four games. A tight 1-0 win in the reverse leg gives them a chance to post a season double, and Barcelona’s away form could boost those hopes. They have been unbeaten on the road all through this La Liga season, including four straight wins.