MX23RW : Thursday, December 12 05:24:29| >> :120:16632:16632:
[monks data]
Barcelona logo
La Liga
Sep 13, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
Athletic Bilbao logo

2-0

Neymar (79', 84')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Preview: Barcelona vs. Athletic Bilbao

Sports Mole takes a closer look at Athletic Bilbao's trip to the Camp Nou to take on Barcelona.

Barcelona will be looking to make it a perfect nine points from three games when they host Athletic Bilbao at the Camp Nou on Saturday afternoon.

It has been an excellent start to life as head coach for Luis Enrique, but his side will face their toughest challenge of the campaign so far against last season's fourth-placed side.

Enrique has been handed a boost in his preparations, with Thomas Vermaelen believed to be ready to make his debut in place of Jeremy Mathieu, who is struggling with an ankle injury.

Andres Iniesta has been back in training this week, but it remains unclear whether he will be risked ahead of the start of Barcelona's Champions League campaign.

Bilbao are currently three points behind the leaders following one win and one loss from their opening two games, and Ernesto Valverde is likely to name the same team which beat Levante 3-0 before the international break.

Recent form

Barcelona: WW

Bilbao: LW

Possible starting lineups

Barcelona: Bravo; Alves, Pique, Vermaelen, Alba; Busquets, Rakitic, Rafinha; Pedro, Messi, Munir

Bilbao: Iraizoz, Laporte, Balenziaga, San Jose, De Marcos, Iturraspe, Mikel Rico, Benat, Gomez, Muniain, Aduriz

Sports Mole says: 3-1


ID:176219: cacheID:176219:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3990:
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi vies with Villarreal's midfielder Manuel Trigueros Munoz during the Spanish league football match Villarreal vs Barcelona at the Camp El Madrigal stadium in Villareal on August 31, 2014
Read Next:
Match Analysis: Villarreal 0-1 Barcelona
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Real Madrid16113234132136
3Atletico MadridAtletico16105130111935
4Athletic Bilbao1795326151132
5Villarreal157532725226
6Real Sociedad167361611524
7Osasuna166642225-324
8Mallorca177371620-424
9GironaGirona166462223-122
10Celta Vigo166372527-221
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Rayo Vallecano155461516-119
13Sevilla165471723-619
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe163761113-216
16AlavesAlaves164391827-915
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1541101528-1313
19Valencia142481322-910
20Real ValladolidValladolid1623111134-239


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!