Prediction: Barcelona vs. Athletic Bilbao – La Liga – Oct 22, 2023
Two of Spain’s footballing heavyweights, Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao, are set to lock horns in a pivotal La Liga encounter on Sunday night, Oct 22, 2023, at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. As the current champions, Barcelona seeks to solidify their top-three position, while fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao aims to close the gap and potentially leapfrog the Catalans with a win.
Analysis: Barcelona, the reigning La Liga champions, have had a decent start to the season, sitting third with 21 points from nine matches. Their unbeaten streak, although commendable, has been blemished by draws against teams like Getafe, Mallorca, and Granada. The recent 2-2 draw against Granada showcased their fighting spirit, recovering from a two-goal deficit. Xavi’s squad, while unbeaten, has demonstrated vulnerabilities, which they’d aim to address as they prepare for an El Clasico showdown against Real Madrid after the Bilbao game. Their historical dominance over Athletic Bilbao, especially at home, will surely boost their confidence.
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Athletic Bilbao, on the other hand, has made a promising start, standing just two points behind Barcelona. Their impressive form, however, was marred by a 3-0 defeat to arch-rivals Real Sociedad. Yet, they showed character by bouncing back with a 3-0 win over Almeria. Under Ernesto Valverde, Bilbao has showcased a balanced approach, and their defensive solidity is evident from their fewer goals conceded than Barcelona. Inaki Williams and Gorka Guruzeta have been standout performers, but the absence of Nico Williams due to injury could be a significant blow.
Prediction: Given the current form and historical records, Barcelona seems to have the upper hand. However, Athletic Bilbao’s resilience and tactical discipline under Valverde could pose challenges for the Catalans. Goal.mu predicts: Barcelona 2-1 Athletic Bilbao.
- Both Teams to Score: Yes
- Over/Under 2.5: Over 2.5
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