Injuries and suspensions threaten to overshadow Athletic Bilbao’s La Liga clash with Barcelona, ??but with the hosts desperate for a win to stay in the top six race, there’s no shortage of intrigue. Head coach Ernesto Valverde accepts his former employers and the need to stop a four-game unbeaten streak makes this game vital. In addition San Mames can hardly be called a fortress, but the Basque team held off their Catalan guests in three of the last four head-to-head duels on this field. After 24 rounds the hosts have nine wins and six draws, which corresponds to 33 points and the ninth line in the standings. Not bad for the “lions” in this tournament is the line of attack, which differed 33 times. Simon, Herrera, Sunset, Morsillo and Leku, who has a muscle injury, will not be able to take part in this duel.
While the Negreira corruption case threatens to engulf Barcelona off the pitch, they were hoping for more exploits on it. After beating Valencia with a score of 1:0 last weekend, their 18 shutouts were the highest this century by a single club in any of Europe’s top five leagues after 24 games. The Blue Garnets have also won the last two La Liga matches against Bilbao with a score 4:0, making the Catalan club today’s favourites. In addition, this game is important after the shameful defeat for the first time in history from Almeria (0:1), for which the Basque club may suffer today. For 24 rounds the guests got 20 victories and two draws, which corresponds to 62 points and the first position in the standings. Also, it is impossible not to note the best result in the Primeira in terms of goals conceded, of which there are only eight on the team’s account today. De Jong, Pedri, Dembele and Araujo, who has a disqualification, will not enter the football field.
