As the 2024-25 La Liga season unfolds, two of Spain’s most storied clubs, Barcelona and Athletic Club, will face off on August 24, 2024, at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium.
Both teams are eager to secure vital points early in the campaign, making this matchup a significant clash between historical rivals.
Match Preview
Barcelona began their season on a high note, overcoming Valencia with a 2-1 victory thanks to a brace from superstar Robert Lewandowski.
The Catalan giants controlled the match with 65% possession and unleashed 18 shots, showcasing their attacking prowess.
This win has extended Barcelona’s impressive home record, as they have now won their last six league matches at home.
With only five defeats in their last 39 La Liga games, Barcelona will be confident as they look to maintain their strong start against Athletic Club.
In contrast, Athletic Club opened their season with a frustrating 1-1 draw against Getafe.
Despite dominating possession with 70% and creating more opportunities, they were unable to secure all three points.
Christantus Uche’s equalizer salvaged a point after Oihan Sancet’s opening goal was canceled out.
However, Athletic Club has shown resilience, losing only one of their last six league matches and managing to score in each of their last nine outings.
They will be looking to capitalize on their recent form as they head into this challenging fixture.
Head to Head
Historically, Barcelona has had the upper hand in their encounters with Athletic Club, winning seven of the last nine league meetings.
Athletic’s last victory over Barcelona in the league dates back to 2019, and they have not won in their last 22 away league matches against the Catalans.
This daunting record will weigh heavily on Athletic’s confidence as they prepare to take on a formidable Barcelona side.
Team News
Barcelona faces several injury concerns as key players Ilkay Gundogan, Frenkie de Jong, Ansu Fati, and Gavi are sidelined for this match.
Manager Flick will have to adapt his tactics to accommodate these absences, potentially relying more on the remaining squad depth to secure a win.
Athletic Club also has its share of injury woes, with Unai Simon, Nico Serrano, Alvaro Djalo, Oscar de Marcos, and Julen Agirrezabala all unavailable for selection.
Coach Ernesto Valverde will need to rally his squad to overcome these challenges and put forth a competitive performance at the Camp Nou.
Prediction
Given Barcelona’s dominant home record and Athletic Club’s struggles in this fixture, we predict a victory for the hosts.
While Athletic has shown the ability to score, Barcelona’s attacking capabilities should see them secure a comfortable win.
- Score Prediction: Barcelona 3-1 Athletic Club
Betting Tips
Barcelona to Win: Betting on a Barcelona victory is advisable, given their historical advantage and home form.
Over 1.5 Goals for Barcelona: With their attacking lineup, placing a bet on Barcelona to score over 1.5 goals is a strong option.
Both Teams to Score – Yes: Considering Athletic’s recent scoring streak, this bet is likely to pay off.
Robert Lewandowski to Score Anytime: If Lewandowski continues his form, betting on him to score during the match could yield favorable odds.
