Athletic Club and Barcelona will face off this Thursday in the round of 16 of the 2021/22 Copa del Rey.
Venue: Estadio San Mamés (Bilbao)
Key Statistics
Athletic Bilbao have won just one of their last five home games in all competitions.
The hosts have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight games.
Barcelona are unbeaten in their last five away games (W2, D3).
They have only failed to score once in their last nine away games.
Head to head
The last 15 head-to-head meetings between both sides have produced eight wins for Barcelona and three wins for Athletic Bilbao in normal time (D2).
Latest performances in all competitions
Athletic Club: L-W-D-W-W
Real Madrid: L-D-W-W-D
Athletic Bilbao
After their Spanish Supercup final heartbreak, Athletic Bilbao will welcome Barcelona to the Estadio San Mamés looking to pick up a win that will send them into the last eight of the Copa del Rey.
The hosts were beaten 2-0 by Real Madrid in the Spanish Supercup final on Sunday, ending their hopes for an early title this season.
But they have another opportunity to progress in another competition and will be glad to take their chance.
They come into this tie with three wins from their last five games and will fancy their chances of getting maximum points from this tie.
Possible Athletic Bilbao starting line-ups
Unai Simon; Oscar de Marcos, Yeray Álvarez, Inigo Martinez, Mikel Balenziaga; Iker Mûnein, Dani Garcia, Oier Zarraga, Alex Berenguer; Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet.
Injured: Unai Nunez, Unai Vencedor, Asier Villalibre.
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Barcelona
Like their hosts, Barcelona also lost to Real Madrid in the Spanish Supercup that was held in Saudi Arabia.
But unlike their hosts, Xavi’s side held their rivals for much of the game, eventually losing in extra time after a goal from Federico Valverde.
They will now look to get back to winning ways when they face Athletic Bilbao this Thursday.
Barcelona are the current holders of the cup and have enjoyed tremendous success in the tournament in recent times. They will fancy their chances of winning this game, judging by their recent record against Bilbao.
Possible Barcelona starting line-ups
Marc Ter Stegen; Dani Alves, Ronald Araujo, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba; Frenkie de Jong, Sérgio Busquets, Gavi; Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati, Luuk De Jong.
Injured: Martin Braithwaite, Sergi Roberto, Eric Garcia, Samuel Umtiti
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Prediction
Bilbao 1-2 Barcelona
