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Barcelona logo
La Liga | Gameweek 21
Jan 31, 2021 at 8pm UK
Camp Nou
Athletic Bilbao logo

Barcelona
2 - 1
Athletic Bilbao

Messi (20'), Griezmann (75')
de Jong (47'), Alba (51')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Alba (49' og.)
Garcia (32'), Alvarez (39'), Garcia Toral (39'), Capa (77')

How Barcelona could line up against Athletic Bilbao

Sports Mole looks at how Barcelona could line up in Sunday's La Liga clash with Athletic Bilbao.

Barcelona will be targeting a fifth straight victory in Spain's top flight when they welcome an in-form Athletic Bilbao to Camp Nou on Sunday evening.

The Catalan giants, who beat Rayo Vallecano in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday to advance to the quarter-finals, are currently third in La Liga, 10 points behind leaders Atletico Madrid.

Ronald Koeman's side have won their last four league games during a strong run of form, though, and are unbeaten in Spain's top flight since the start of December.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Barca could line up against Athletic.


POSS BAR XI vs. ATH

Out: Ansu Fati (knee), Gerard Pique (knee), Philippe Coutinho (knee), Sergio Busquets (suspension)
Doubtful: Sergi Roberto (muscle)

Barca will again be without the services of Ansu Fati, Gerard Pique and Philippe Coutinho through injury, but there is a chance that Sergi Roberto could be involved, with the Spain international recently returning to training following a muscular problem.

The home side will definitely be without Sergio Busquets, with the experienced midfielder suspended due to the booking that he picked up against Elche last weekend, meaning that there could be a spot in the middle of the park for Miralem Pjanic.

Koeman will ring the changes from the side that started in the Copa del Rey, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Sergino Dest, Jordi Alba and Ousmane Dembele among those likely to return.

Lionel Messi was absent against Elche last weekend through suspension, but the Argentine was back in the team and back on the scoresheet against Rayo, and the 33-year-old should be joined by Dembele and Antoine Griezmann in the final third of the field here.

Pedri should also return to the side, with the 18-year-old making a big impression for Barca since arriving at the club last summer.

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Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring against Rayo Vallecano in the Copa del Rey on January 27, 2021
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Real Madrid17114237162137
3Atletico MadridAtletico16105130111935
4Athletic Bilbao1795326151132
5Mallorca188371821-327
6Villarreal157532725226
7Osasuna176742225-325
8Real Sociedad167361611524
9GironaGirona176472325-222
10Sevilla176471823-522
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Celta Vigo176382528-321
13Rayo Vallecano165561819-120
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe163761113-216
16AlavesAlaves164391827-915
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1642101528-1314
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia152491323-1010


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