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Athletic Bilbao logo
La Liga
Feb 8, 2015 at 8pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

2-5

Rico (59'), Aduriz (66')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Messi (15'), Suarez (26'), De Marcos (62'), Neymar (64'), Pedro (86')

Preview: Athletic Bilbao vs. Barcelona

Sports Mole previews the match between Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona in La Liga.

Barcelona will be looking to record their ninth consecutive win in all competitions when they travel to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday night.

The Catalan giants have netted 29 goals during a rich vein of form which has seen them maintain pace with Real Madrid in the La Liga table as well as seeing off the challenge of Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey.

Luis Enrique's team had to dig deep to edge out Villarreal at Camp Nou last weekend, but the club's coach would have been delighted to have witnessed his side show impressive resilience for the second time in the space of four days.

The starting lineup is unlikely to be altered for the trip to Bilbao, with Enrique hoping that Luis Suarez can break his current four-game run without a goal.

Bilbao welcome Barca having recovered from a dismal run of results that had seen them fall to five defeats in six matches.

However, since January 21, Los Leones have won twice and drawn twice to improve their fortunes in both league and cup, conceding just one goal during the same period.

Goals at the other end of the pitch remain a problem though, and manager Ernesto Valverde will be hoping that Aritz Aduriz can continue his improvement in front of goal after previously scoring just twice in 13 games.

Valverde could include Xabier Etxeita in his defence, with Andoni Iraola having to sit out the match through suspension.

Athletic Bilbao:

Form in La Liga: LLLLDW
Form in all competitions: LLDDWW

Possible starting lineup: Iraizoz, Etxeita, Balenziaga, Laporte, Gurpegi, Iturraspe, Mikel Rico, Aduriz, Muniain, De Marcos, Unai Lopez

Barcelona:

Form in La Liga: WLWWWW
Form in all competitions: WWWWWW

Possible starting lineup: Bravo; Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Alba; Busquets, Rafinha, Iniesta; Neymar, Suarez, Messi

Sports Mole says: 1-4


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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid32256170224881
2Barcelona32217464372770
3GironaGirona32215667402768
4Atletico MadridAtletico32194959382161
5Athletic Bilbao321610652302258
6Real Sociedad321312746341251
7Real BetisBetis32121284038248
8Valencia32138113534147
9Villarreal32119125155-442
10Getafe32913103844-640
11Osasuna32116153746-939
12Sevilla32910134145-437
13Las PalmasLas Palmas32107153039-937
14AlavesAlaves3298152838-1035
15Rayo Vallecano32713122739-1234
16Celta Vigo32710153747-1031
17Mallorca32613132638-1231
18CadizCadiz32413152245-2325
19Granada3239203361-2818
20Almeria32111203164-3314


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