Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Club Bilbao welcomes Xavi’s Barcelona to San Mames in La Liga this weekend. Bilbao finds themselves in ninth place on 33 points. As for Barça, they are nine points clear of rivals Real Madrid at the summit.
As Barcelona closes in on the title, the Catalonia giants will be looking for all three points from this one. For the best soccer betting odds and La Liga picks on today’s La Liga matches, keep reading our in-depth betting preview.
Athletic Club vs. Barcelona Information
Athletic Club vs Barcelona
Location: San Mames, Bilbao.
Date and Time: Sunday, March 12, 2023, 3:00 PM ET.
How to Watch: ESPN+
Athletic Club vs. Barcelona Recent Scores
Athletic Club has been in poor form of late, losing three and drawing one of their last four league and cup games. However, after a trio of defeats, the Lions did manage to hold Rayo Vallecano to a draw at Campo de Futbol de Vallecas last Sunday.
Barcelona has responded well from their shock league defeat to Almeria at the end of February. They beat Real on the road in the Copa del Rey before winning 1-0 against Valencia in La Liga last weekend. Stay tuned for the best Athletic Club vs Barcelona betting tips.
Athletic Club vs. Barcelona Betting Analysis
Athletic Club Facts to Know
Athletic Club is in mid-table after a mixed bag of results this season. After 24 league games played, Bilbao has won nine, drawn six and lost nine to rack up 33 points from a possible 72.
Athletic has struggled for wins since returning from the 2022 FIFA World Cup break. They have picked up just two La Liga victories from ten. After back-to-back wins over Cadiz and Valencia at the start of February, Valverde’s troops have lost two and drawn one of their last three.
After losses to Atletico Madrid and Girona in the league, the Red and Whites did hold Vallecano to a draw away from home in their last matchup.
Home form has been key this season, as 20 of their 33 points have come at San Mames. Having said that, Bilbao has lost two of their previous three league fixtures on their own patch.
Beating the league leaders will take some doing, but the Lions will no doubt give it a good go. There are some big matches on the Athletic Club schedule coming up, including Sunday’s showdown with Barcelona. Keep reading our Athletic Club vs Barcelona betting preview for the latest odds and best tips.
Barcelona Facts to Know
Barcelona has had a tough few years, but things are certainly looking up for Xavi’s men. Blaugrana has been top pretty much all season, and the Camp Nou outfit look a good bet to win their first title since 2019.
Barça is riding high at the top of La Liga right now, amassing an incredible 62 points from 24 matches. So far, Xavi’s boys have won 20, drawn two and lost two. They have shipped just eight goals and scored an impressive 46 along the way.
After seven straight league wins, Barcelona fell to a shock defeat to Almeria in their last away league game. It was the club’s first-ever loss to the side from the Power Horse Stadium. Nevertheless, Barca has bounced back in style since, beating Real Madrid in the cup and Valencia in the league (both 1-0).
With Real waiting in the wings and ready to pounce on any Barcelona mistakes, Xavi and his side will be eager to keep the momentum going with another three points from this one. Keep reading for the best Barcelona odds and betting predictions.
Updates
After picking up a red card at Vallecano, Oihan Sancet is suspended for the hosts. Ander Herrera, Inigo Lekue, Jon Morcillo and Unai Simon are all likely to miss out through injury.
Ronaldo Araujo is out for Barcelona with a red card suspension. Pedri has a thigh issue, though Ousmane Dembele and Robert Lewandowski are back in training after injuries.
Athletic Club vs. Barcelona Betting Preview
Athletic Club may be the home side, but Valverde’s troops are the underdogs at San Mames this weekend. You can get the big odds of +250 for the home win, while the draw is currently priced at +230.
The visitors are fancied to get the points looking at the latest Athletic Club vs Barcelona betting odds. The bookies are offering just +115 for the away win.
Athletic Club vs. Barcelona Betting Prediction
San Mames has so often been a fortress over the years, but Real Madrid and Girona have left with maximum points in recent weeks. Barcelona lost their last away league games, but Blaugrana should get the win in Bilbao on Sunday.
Barça ran riot in the game between the pair at the Camp Nou back in October, with goals from Dembele, Sergi Roberto, Lewandowski and Ferran Torres giving the Catalonia heavyweights a resounding 4-0 win.
Barcelona were 3-0 up at halftime in the reverse league meeting, and you can get +600 for Barca to win both halves of this one. Also, put some money on the visitors to win to nil at top soccer betting odds of +250.
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