The Matchday 38 clash in La Liga between Athletic and Barcelona will take place on May 25 at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao. Athletic vs. Barcelona: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Athletic
This season, the Basques could become the best defensive team. The club has conceded only 26 goals in the current championship. Notably, they have kept a clean sheet in their last five La Liga matches, winning four and drawing one. Ernesto Valverde's side is in fourth place and has secured a spot in next season's Champions League.
- A goalless draw occurred in the first half of 10 of Athletic's last 12 La Liga games.
- In their last 11 La Liga matches, the Basques have lost only once (6 wins and 4 draws).
- No more than two goals were scored in the club's last six league games.
Predicted lineup for Athletic (5-3-2)
Unai Simon – Yuri Berchiche, Daniel Vivian, Aitor Paredes, Adama Boiro, Lekue – Benat Prados, Oihan Sancet, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta – Gorka Guruzeta, Alex Berenguer.
Defender Yeray Alvarez and forward Nico Williams are likely to miss the match due to injuries.
Barcelona
The Catalans played their previous match as the champions of Spain. Slightly relaxed, the team lost 2-3 at home to Villarreal. This was Hans Flick's side's first defeat in La Liga this calendar year. Before that, the club was unbeaten in the league for 17 matches (15 wins and 2 draws). Also, note that in the final match, the team could score their 100th goal in the current La Liga season.
- At least three goals were scored in 8 of Barcelona's last 12 La Liga games.
- Both teams scored in 7 of the Catalans' last 10 away league matches.
- The club did not win the first half in their last seven away La Liga matches (5 draws and 2 losses).
Predicted lineup for Barcelona (4-3-3)
Marc-Andre ter Stegen – Gerard Martin, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Eric Garcia – Fermin Lopez, Pedri, Gavi – Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha Dias.
Midfielders Dani Rodriguez, Ronald Araujo, and Marc Bernal, as well as defender Jules Kounde and forward Ferran Torres, are out due to injuries.
Referee
Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes (Spain)
Matches – 19 (La Liga, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 70;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.7;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 26;
Penalties – 21%.
Match Prediction: Athletic vs. Barcelona
Judging by the Catalans' last match, where they lost to Villarreal, the team seems uninterested in league standings. After all, victories in La Liga, the Cup, and the Spanish Super Cup have already been achieved. Therefore, in the upcoming match, we shouldn't expect Barcelona to strive to beat the Basques at all costs. Moreover, it will not be easy, as Athletic has not lost at home in 15 consecutive La Liga matches (10 wins and 5 draws). Thus, I think the hosts have a chance to remain the best in the tournament defensively.
Scoring against the Basques is very difficult. At their stadium, the club has not conceded more than one goal in this La Liga campaign. Also, the Catalans, in away matches, usually do not allow their opponents to score multiple times. Therefore, I believe this game will be low-scoring. Incidentally, in 8 of the last 9 head-to-head meetings held at San Mames in La Liga, no more than two goals were scored. With caution, I suggest predicting Total under 3.5 goals.