Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction: Barca to make winning return to Camp Nou

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For the first time in two-and-a-half years, Barcelona play at Camp Nou on Saturday. After various construction delays, the stadium is finally ready to host their showdown with Athletic Club in La Liga.

Work is still ongoing on the top tiers, which means the initial capacity will be capped at around 45,000. However, everyone connected with the club will be delighted to finally be returning home, and there should be a good atmosphere for this weekend’s match.

Barca were a team in need of a lift. They were beaten by Sevilla, PSG and Real Madrid in October, while a 3-3 draw at Club Brugge in the Champions League earlier this month was also very unconvincing.

Hansi Flick’s side did at least put in a much better performance in their final game prior to the international break. A 4-2 victory away to Celta Vigo came largely thanks to a Robert Lewandowski hat-trick.

It has been a frustrating season so far for the Polish international, who has had to contend with injury problems. Even when he’s been fit, Ferran Torres has often been preferred up front. However, his strong showing in Galicia may help the veteran forward regain his place over the coming weeks and months.

Marcus Rashford also set up two goals against Celta. That moved the Englishman onto six assists in La Liga this term, the joint-highest figure in the Spanish top flight along with Getafe’s Luis Milla. Despite that, Rashford may soon be relegated to the bench, with Raphinha fit again after a lengthy lay-off.

The 28-year-old’s move to Barcelona in the summer largely came about as a result of Nico Williams’ decision to stay in Bilbao rather than join the Catalan giants. He was whistled in this fixture last term having also rejected Barca’s advances after a successful Euro 2024 campaign.

Judging by the state of this current Athletic side, privately at least, Williams may be regretting those calls. The Basques have struggled to get much going in the final third this season, and they are averaging exactly one goal per game across their 16 outings in all competitions.

Even Williams has been well below his best level, with lingering fitness issues hampering him. However, he did score a brilliant solo goal as Los Leones saw off Real Oviedo 1-0 in their last match.

Athletic had lost eight out of 12 games overall prior to that, with both their domestic and European form poor. They’ve found it really difficult to cope with the added demands of Champions League action, and too many of their best players have failed to produce their best football this term.

Team News

Given their injury problems, Barcelona would have certainly welcomed the international break. They used it to squeeze in some minor groin surgery for Lamine Yamal, much to the anger of Spain, who were unable to count on the teenager in their final two World Cup qualifiers. The winger will be available on Saturday.

Raphinha is also fit again after two months on the sidelines, and may feature off the bench. However, the hosts will be missing the suspended Frenkie de Jong, as well as the injured trio of Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Gavi and Pedri. Rashford is suffering from a bout of the flu, which leaves his participation in some doubt.

In better news for the hosts, goalkeeper Joan Garcia is available once more, and Flick confirmed in his pre-match press conference that he will start the game.

Athletic have also had to deal with a heavy schedule, and the injuries have piled up in their camp too. They’ll be without four players at Camp Nou, with Iñaki Williams, Maroan Sannadi, Beñat Prados and Unai Egiluz all sidelined.

Nico Williams has been struggling with the same groin issue as Yamal, but is expected to be fit. Valverde will have half an eye on Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Slavia Prague, which may fall into the must-win category, given Athletic have lost three of their opening four games in that competition.