The final match to be played in La Liga on the 22nd of October is the pick of the fixtures this weekend as Barcelona meet Athletic Club.
The game will be played at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys and the hosts come into the weekend 3rd in the table on 21 points while the visitors are in 5th place on 17 points.
🎯 Focus on #BarçaAthletic pic.twitter.com/AGkHD7vhBr— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 18, 2023
🎯 Focus on #BarçaAthletic pic.twitter.com/AGkHD7vhBr
Barcelona come into the match having been held to a 2-2 draw at Granada in La Liga prior to the international break.
Barcelona found themselves 2-0 down after 29 minutes but pulled a goal back on the stroke of half time.
Into the second half and Barcelona struggled to find the equaliser but did get level in the 85th minute to take a point.
The draw at Granada means Barcelona are undefeated in their 11 competitive fixtures this season.
They have won 8 of their last 10 matches, with the wins coming over Cadiz, Real Betis, Celta Vigo and Sevilla at home in La Liga plus Villarreal and Osasuna away.
Barcelona have also beat Antwerp at home and Porto away in the Champions League.
Trends show there are no losses for Barcelona in 41 of their most recent 48 games in all competitions.
They have won each of their last 6 home fixtures and have scored 2 or more goals in 4 of their last 5 home La Liga matches.
Athletic Club travel to the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on the back of a 3-0 home win over Almeria in La Liga.
It took just 10 minutes for Athletic Club to score the opening goal and they led 1-0 at half time.
Athletic Club doubled their advantage in the 63rd minute and scored a third goal 9 minutes from time to take maximum points.
The win over Almeria was the first victory in 3 games for Athletic Club.
There was a 2-2 draw at home with Getafe and a disappointing 3-0 defeat in the Basque derby against Real Sociedad.
Trends show Athletic Club have a good record of 7 undefeated games in their last 8 encounters in La Liga.
They are undefeated in 4 of their last 5 league matches on the road but have won only 2 of their 8 most recent away La Liga fixtures.
Team news: Barcelona are without the injured quartet of Sergi Roberto, Jules Kounde, Raphinha, and Frenkie De Jong. They also have doubts over the fitness of Robert Lewandowski and Pedri.
Athletic Club travel without Yeray Álvarez, Mikel Vesga, and Inigo Ruíz de Galarreta, who are in the treatment room. Nico Williams, Óscar de Marcos, and Peru Nolaskoain are doubts.
This should be an entertaining game on Sunday night, with both teams aiming to keep pace with the leaders, Real Madrid.
Athletic Club have the ability to cause the Barcelona defence problems but Barcelona have been strong at home in recent games and should come out on top, with both teams scoring.