We have some excellent fixtures to look forward to in La Liga this weekend and our prediction is for goals in this top match.
The game between Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona will be played on the 3rd of March at the San Mamés Barria. The hosts begin the weekend in 5th place on 49 points while the visitors are in 3rd place on 57 points.
Athletic Bilbao come into the match on the back of a tremendous 3-0 home win over Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final, second leg on Thursday night.
💪 Leap Year Day training session! We won't have another one of these until 2028! 🤯 𝕊𝕆𝕌ℕ𝔻 𝕆ℕ pic.twitter.com/RyNMKeL2Xx— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 1, 2024
💪 Leap Year Day training session! We won't have another one of these until 2028! 🤯 𝕊𝕆𝕌ℕ𝔻 𝕆ℕ pic.twitter.com/RyNMKeL2Xx
Athletic Bilbao had a 1-0 lead from the first leg and quickly added to that with the opening goal in the 13th minute.
Athletic Bilbao extended their advantage with a second goal shortly before half time and made it 3-0 on the night with a third goal in the 61st minute.
The win over Atletico Madrid means Athletic Bilbao are undefeated in 7 of their 8 most recent fixtures in all competitions.
There have been wins over Mallorca and Girona at home in La Liga plus Barcelona at home and Atletico Madrid away in the Copa del Rey. The only defeat came away against Real Betis in La Liga.
Statistics show Athletic Bilbao are undefeated in their last 14 home games in all competitions. They have scored at least 1 goal in each of their last 12 home La Liga matches.
Barcelona make the trip to the San Mamés Barria having beat Getafe 4-0 at home in La Liga last weekend.
Barcelona opened the scoring in the 20th minute to lead 1-0 at half time. Into the second half and Barcelona scored their second goal in the 53rd minute and their third 8 minutes later. A good day was rounded off with a fourth goal in added time.
The win over Getafe was the sixth game in succession without a defeat for Barcelona. There have been wins over Alaves and Celta Vigo away plus Osasuna at home in La Liga.
Barcelona were also held to a 3-3 draw at home by Granada in La Liga and 1-1 away in the Champions League by Napoli.
Trends show Barcelona are unbeaten in their 12 most recent away La Liga fixtures and have won each of their last 4 on the road in the league.
Both teams have scored in each of Barcelona’s last 6 away La Liga matches and they have a good recent record against Athletic Bilbao, remaining unbeaten in their last 12 games.
Team news: Athletic Bilbao are without the suspended duo of Nico Williams and Daniel Vivian. Yuri Berchiche and Ander Herrera are both injured.
Barcelona have two players unavailable, with Álex Balde and Marcos Alonso in the treatment room. They are doubts over the fitness of Ferrán Torres.
Athletic Bilbao will be feeling good about themselves after progressing to the final of the Copa del Rey but this will be a different test. Barcelona have a good record against Athletic Bilbao and it could be the visitors who take maximum points, with both teams scoring.