Athletic Bilbao vs. Barcelona: Team News, Preview, Live Stream and TV Info
Athletic Club de Bilbao host Barcelona at the new San Mames looking to reverse a wretched run of league form.
Prior to their win at Levante last week, a win that made it four unbeaten in all competitions, Los Leones hadn't picked up three points in a La Liga fixture since back in November against Getafe, per WhoScored.com.
By contrast, the Catalans have lost just once in all competitions in the same time frame per WhoScored.
Luis Enrique finally seems to have the Blaugrana playing the football that they'd been threatening to do all season with Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez now dovetailing to great effect.
They'll be weary of the thorough examination of their credentials that they received the last time they arrived at this venue.
It has the makings of a classic.
Date: Sunday, February 8
Time: 8:00 p.m. GMT/3:00 p.m ET
Venue: New San Mames, Bilbao, Spain
TV Info: Sky Sports 5 (UK only)/beIN Sports Espanol
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK only)/Dish World
Form Lines
| Athletic Bilbao | Barcelona |
| W 2-0 Levante | W 3-2 Villarreal |
| W 1-0 Malaga | W 3-2 Atletico Madrid |
| D 1-1 Malaga | W 6-0 Elche |
| D 0-0 Malaga | W 1-0 Atletico Madrid |
| L 0-2 Villarreal | W 4-0 Deportivo La Coruna |
WhoScored.com
Predicted Formations
Athletic Club will most likely set up with a 4-2-3-1 formation allowing a back six when needed, plus support for the lone striker when required.
Gorka Iraizoz keeps goal for the hosts with the excellent Aymeric Laporte partnering Carlos Gurpegi in the centre of defence.
Alvaro Barrientos/Associated Press
Athletic need to make the new San Mames a fortress again.
Andoni Iraola has the unenviable task of keeping Neymar's forays to a minimum, whilst on the opposite flank Mikel Balenziaga will have a torrid 90 minutes unless he can keep Lionel Messi quiet.
Ander Iturraspe and Mikel Rico can help narrow the lines making Barca's intricate passing movements difficult.
Breaking forward, Aritz Aduriz will lead the line full of confidence after his two-goal salvo at Levante.
Iker Muniain needs a break after a disappointing season personally, and he may wish to recall his excellent display against Barca last season to engender some confidence.
Unai Lopez and Oscar de Marcos make up the home side's XI.
Barcelona will adopt their usual 4-3-3 system and if Enrique has got any sense, he will stick with what has appeared to be his strongest available XI, and one that has served him well recently.
Luis Enrique needs to play his strongest XI.
Claudio Bravo is a simple pick in goal. If he continues in the same form as that which he's shown to this point, then we could be looking at a Zamora Trophy win for the stopper with a record low of goals conceded.
Only Manuel Neuer at Bayern Munich comes anywhere close to the Chilean in Europe's top five leagues.
B/R Formation Builder
Barcelona's predicted set up vs. Athletic Bilbao
Dani Alves and Jordi Alba are equally comfortable full-back selections with the reborn Gerard Pique and ever-dependable Javier Mascherano anchoring the defence centrally.
Ivan Rakitic is finally starting to show the form from his Sevilla days and is providing midfield excellence that is complimentary to Andres Iniesta's more incisive bursts.
Sergio Busquets sits in his usual role just in front of the defence.
This leaves the triple threat of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez to terrorise Athletic Club's back four.
Source: bleacherreport
Source: bleacherreport
