Round 25 of the 2022-23 Spanish La Liga season continues with a four-game Sunday slate, including the marquee match at Estadio San Mames in Bilbao, so here’s the best Athletic Bilbao vs. Barcelona betting pick along with the latest team stats, news, and odds update.
Athletic Bilbao – Barcelona Betting Tip, Prediction & Odds (12.3.2023)
Barcelona are back to winning ways and hope to grab another victory in what could be a tough matchup with Athletic Bilbao. The Lions have struggled over the last few weeks and will be highly motivated to prove their worth when the heavyweights come to town.
Athletic Bilbao vs. Barcelona: Initial Situation
Athletic Bilbao are ninth in La Liga with 33 points (W9, D6, L9) and a 33:26 goal difference. Barcelona are topping the standings with 62 points (W20, D2, L2) and a 46:8 goal difference, nine points ahead of Real Madrid.
Athletic Bilbao Stats & Form
The Lions are winless in four straight outings in all competitions, recording three losses in that stretch. Last Sunday, they stopped a three-game losing streak with a nil-nil draw against Rayo Vallecano on the road in Round 24 of the 2022-23 La Liga season. Over their previous three league contests at San Mames, the Lions have registered a 4-1 win versus Cadiz to go with a pair of defeats to Girona 3-2 and Real Madrid 2-0.
Oihan Sancet is Bilbao’s leading scorer with eight goals in 28 appearances in all competitions. He was sent off last weekend and will miss the Barcelona clash. The Lions will also be without their first-choice goalkeeper, as Unai Simon is recovering from an Achilles tendon injury. Keep your eyes on the Williams brothers, Inaki and Nico, who have combined for 12 goals and ten assists so far this season.
Barcelona Stats & Form
After a couple of losses to Manchester United 2-1 in the Europa League and Almeria 1-0 in La Liga, Barcelona have won two straight matches over Real Madrid 1-0 in Copa del Rey and Valencia 1-0 in the league. Last Sunday, Barcelona narrowly outlasted Valencia at home despite playing with ten men through the final 30 minutes. Ronald Araujo was sent off and will sit out the upcoming contests versus Athletic Bilbao.
Robert Lewandowski, who’s bagged 25 goals in 31 appearances in all competitions this season, is doubtful to play Sunday due to a hamstring injury. Ousmane Dembele (eight goals and seven assists) and Pedri (seven goals) are doubtful, too, so Ferran Torres (five goals and an assist) will get the starting call upfront.
Athletic Bilbao – Barcelona: Head-to-Head
Barcelona trounced Athletic Bilbao 4-0 in their first meeting of the season. The Lions are winless in six consecutive league contests against Barcelona, recording just one draw in that stretch.
Athletic Bilbao – Barcelona Odds
The bookmakers are looking for a tight battle, and Barcelona is a slight 2.20 fave to win three points on Unibet Sportsbook. The visitors are the best team in La Liga, but they also have injury problems. We shouldn’t see a high-scoring affair, and the Under 2.5 Goals sits at 1.73 on bet365 Sportsbook.
As I’ve mentioned, Barcelona will probably miss their leading scorer. Whereas Ousmane Dembele’s absence is not a big issue, Robert Lewandowski’s injury is a huge blow for Barcelona. On the other side, the Lions will be without their top scorer, too, so I’m taking the Under 2.5 Goals at 1.73 odds with bet365. Barcelona will control the ball in the middle of the park, and their defense has been outstanding in the league thus far. Athletic Bilbao will take a cautious approach, looking to keep their net intact, so I would be surprised by a proper high-scoring match.
Betting tip and prediction: Athletic Bilbao – Barcelona (12.3.2023)