The new LaLiga season kicks off on Friday evening at San Mames Stadium, where Athletic Bilbao host defending champions Barcelona. Last season Athletic Bilbao managed to remain unbeaten by the Blaugrana, they recorded a 1-1 draw at Camp Nou before a goalless draw at home. However, those two draws came after four consecutive wins for Barcelona in all competitions. The last time Athletic Bilbao won a league match against Barcelona was in 2013.
Athletic Bilbao had an extremely quiet summer in terms of transfers, they released five players on free transfers and replaced them with four lads that were promoted from the club's second team. The big news of the summer was that Athletic managed to keep striker Inaki Williams at the club, extending his contract until 2028. Gorka Guruzeta is injured and will sit this one out, while Inigo Cordoba and Inigo Martinez should be able to recover from their recent knocks.
Barcelona have surely improved their squad this summer, they have brought in forward Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid and central midfielder Frenkie de Jong from Ajax Amsterdam, and let go some fringe players like Malcom, Jasper Cillessen and Andre Gomes. They are still chasing probably the biggest deal of the summer, which will see Neymar rejoin the Blaugrana from PSG, but until then they have to focus on winning matches. Lionel Messi and goalkeeper Neto are injured and will miss this match, while Frenkie de Jong should make his debut for Barcelona despite having missed a few days of training this week.
Probable line-ups:
Bilbao: Herrerin - Capa, Martinez, Alvarez, Yuri - Lopez, D. Garcia - Muniain, R. Garcia, Cordoba - Williams
Barcelona: Ter Stegen - Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba - De Jong, Busquets, Rakitic - Dembele, Suarez, Griezmann
My prediction:
This will be a tricky season debut for Barcelona, Athletic are always tough to beat at home and the Blaugrana are without Messi. I think this match will end with a 1-1 draw.
Here are the odds for the match at NetBet:
Bilbao win - 4.80
Draw - 3.90
Barcelona win - 1.69
Your feedback
Please enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
Comments (1)
Dzile10
08/15/19, 07:08:56 AM
I expect Barcelona win, they have a stronger team than last year, even without Messi they can score many goals.
