The semi-final match of the Supercopa de España between Barcelona and Athletic Club will take place on 7 january at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia). Barcelona vs Athletic Club: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Barcelona
Barcelona won all three domestic trophies last season, and now the squad coached by Hansi Flick have the right to defend the first title. The club has lifted the Supercopa de España 15 times in total, the best record in the competition's history. In last season's final the club thrashed Real Madrid 5:2. In 2026 Barcelona will appear in the Supercopa de España for the 30th time; no other team has contested this trophy as often.
- The team have recorded nine consecutive wins in La Liga and the Copa del Rey.
- The club's uncompromising run in these competitions stretches for 16 matches (14 wins, 2 losses).
- Barcelona have scored in 47 consecutive matches in La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de España.
Potential Barcelona Lineup (4-2-3-1)*
Joan Garcia – Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Alex Balde – Frenkie de Jong, Eric Garcia – Marcus Rashford, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha – Ferran Torres.
Defender Andreas Christensen and midfielder Gavi are unavailable due to injury. Defender Ronald Araujo is included in the squad, but his participation in the match is highly questionable.
Athletic Club
Since Barcelona won the league and the Copa del Rey in 2025, Athletic Club only needed to finish inside La Liga's top four to qualify for the Supercopa de España. Athletic Club have previously participated in this competition seven times, winning the title on three occasions. The last triumph dates back to 2021, when the club consecutively beat Real Madrid and Barcelona. In the previous edition of the Supercopa the visiting team also faced Barcelona in the semi-final, but then Athletic Club were defeated 0:2.
- At least two goals were scored in five of Athletic Club's last seven matches in La Liga and the Copa del Rey.
- The team won with a +1.5 handicap in 11 of their previous 14 matches in these competitions.
- Athletic Club have failed to score more than one goal in five matches in La Liga and the Copa del Rey.
Potential Athletic Club Lineup (4-2-3-1)*
Unai Simon – Andoni Gorosabel, Dani Vivian, Aitor Paredes, Adama Boiro – Mikel Hauregizar, Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta – Nico Williams, Oihan Sancet, Gorka Guruzeta – Inaki Williams.
Injuries rule out defenders Yuri Berchiche and Unai Echelus, midfielder Beñat Prados, and forward Maroan Sannadi.
Referee
Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias (Italy)
Matches – 7 (Cup and Supercopa de España, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow/Red Cards Shown (Including Second Yellows) – 15;
Average Yellow/Red Cards Per Match – 2.1;
Red Cards Shown – 0;
Fouls Per Match On Average – 16;
Penalties – 0%.
Barcelona vs Athletic Club: Match Prediction
Barcelona are the current holders of the Supercopa de España, and the squad clearly intend to defend the title. Barcelona arrive at the new edition in excellent form: the home side have not slipped up in domestic competitions for more than two months before the meeting with Athletic Club. The club's winning run in La Liga and the Copa del Rey has already reached nine matches, during which Barcelona beat opponents of varied quality, including direct rivals.
Athletic Club do not have anything like that consistency. The club frankly failed the first half of the season despite starting with three consecutive wins. Since the beginning of November the visitors have lost every second match in La Liga and the national cup. Now, in the Supercopa, the team faces one of its least-favored opponents. Athletic Club have lost eight of the last ten head-to-head meetings with Barcelona in La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de España.
Prediction: Barcelona To Win
* The starting lineup for each team is that used in its previous match.