Barcelona vs Ath Bilbao Prediction & Betting Tips (22 November)

Barça were scared before the international break on the Celta Vigo pitch but they finally won by stopping the defensive bleeding in the second act, 2-4 victory. The match of fear for the Blaugrana who, as a reminder, remained in three matches without a win on the road, including two defeats in La Liga against Sevilla FC 4-1 and Real Madrid 2-1. We can also mention sharing points with Club Bruges in Belgium 3-3 in the Champions League. In the standings, the Culers have once again become runners-up to Real Madrid and they can even aim to temporarily catch up with the Merengue in the event of a victory today. Athletic Bilbao is completely amorphous almost halfway through the season. Whether in the Champions League or in La Liga, the confidence of the Basques is at a standstill and it is not the narrow victory obtained at home against Oviedo before the break which will erase the doubts 1-0.

Because before that, the Lions had suffered 3 defeats in a row, including 2 in La Liga against Getafe at home 0-1 and in the derby on Real Sociedad's field 3-2. In the Champions League, Athletic recovered against Qarabag 3-1 after 2 first defeats in the competition. But in the end, Ernesto Valverde's men plunged back into hell at St. James Park against Newcastle 2-0. 

Since the start of the season, Hansi Flick has had to deal with often significant absences. For a time, Joan Garcia, Raphinha, Lamine Yamal and even Lewandowski were all out, just starters. Returning to competition just before the international break, Lewandowski (7 goals in La Liga) regained his confidence in front of goal by scoring a significant hat-trick against Vigo. Lamine Yamal was also back, and in great style. The Spanish prodigy, however, missed the meeting with the Spanish selection to treat his pubic discomfort which prevents him from playing 100%. Among those absent, Pedri and his midfield partner Gavi (who had another knee operation) are all absent, as is the now number 2 goalkeeper Marc-André Ter Stegen. Yamal (4 goals, 4 assists in La Liga) is finally announced as uncertain, like Marc Casado (rotation, midfielder) while Frenkie de Jong will serve his suspension after his red received at Balaidos against Vigo.

Raphinha finally made his return to training this week and he should occupy a place on the scoresheet. In addition to Yeray Alvarez suspended for doping, midfielder Ruiz de Galarreta will be suspended for an accumulation of yellow cards. Both victims of a ruptured cruciate ligament, Egiluz and Ben Prados will remain far from the scoresheet, the same goes for Moroccan international Sannadi, the exemplary Sancet and Williams' big brother, Inaki (1 goal this season in La Liga). This leaves a lot of major elements missing for such a meeting. Fortunately for the Lions, pack leader Nico Williams (2 goals in La Liga), sole scorer against Oviedo, will be traveling.