Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona
La Liga leaders Barcelona are heading across to the Basque region on Saturday night to meet Athletic Bilbao in a crucial top-flight clash.
Both clubs suffered Copa del Rey heartbreak in midweek at the semi-final stage. Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Bilbao lost to near neighbours Real Sociedad, while Barcelona fell agonisingly short of pulling off a sensational comeback at home to Atletico Madrid.
Hansi Flick’s reigning champions are four points clear at the top of the Primera Division table. And with 12 games to play, the La Liga 2026 betting odds say the Blaugrana are homing in on the title. With impressive back-to-back wins this week, 4-1 over Villarreal in the league and then 3-0 in the Copa second leg, they are in better shape than the Lions, who drew with Rayo Vallecano before falling 1-0 to Sociedad on Wednesday.
Talking Points
Bilbao are in a rush for Europe
After a patchy first half of the campaign, Athletic Bilbao’s La Liga 2026 results have improved since the turn of the year, and they are coming up on the rails of a competitive race for European places. The Lions are on 35 points, behind Sociedad on goal difference alone and a single point behind free-falling Espanyol in seventh. Sixth-placed Celta Vigo have 40 points, and Real Betis have three more points in fifth. A strong run of results will see Bilbao have another tilt at Europe, after they crashed out of the Champions League this term.
With Nico Williams suffering an injury-hit campaign and currently sidelined, winger Alex Berenguer has stepped forward, though Williams, a hero of Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph, has certainly been missed. Gorka Guruzeta, with six goals, is the top scorer. He bagged a brace when Bilbao picked up their most recent win, a 2-1 triumph at home to Elche, but Valverde needs his main forward, Oihan Sancet, to pick up the pace in the run-in.
At the other end of the pitch, keeper Unai Simon and centre-back Aymeric Laporte have real quality, and they will both need to be at their best against one of the best attacks in world football on Saturday evening.
Flick’s foot is on the pedal
When Barcelona arrive in Bilbao, the lead at the top of the table may have reduced to one point. Second-placed Real Madrid visits Celta Vigo on Friday night, where an away win would keep the pressure on the Blaugrana. But a clash away to the sixth-placed team is not a walk in the park for Los Blancos, who have lost their last two league games. But whatever the outcome in Vigo, Flick will ensure his team is primed to do their job 24 hours later.
After a small stumble in the league and an exit from the Copa del Rey, Barca are left with a run to the finish line in La Liga and an assault on the Champions League. And with the way the Catalans destroyed Villarreal in the league last week and Atleti in the Copa second leg, it looks like the Barca players really mean business.
Young forwards Marc Bernal and Lamine Yamal have been superb in recent weeks, while the return of Pedri to the midfield has given Barcelona even more control. And Flick has found an unlikely hero at the heart of his defence in the shape of Gerard Martin.
Initially a full-back, the 24-year-old has been converted into a centre-back following injuries to Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araujo. Barcelona have won every game in which Martin has started at centre-back, 14 from 14, and that is a statistic which is hard to ignore. Flick is finding solutions all around the pitch, and his drive for perfection remains as strong as ever.
History
Barcelona have dominated the head-to-head results with 51 wins to Bilbao’s 10, and there have been 17 draws. And at San Mames, the Catalans have been even more dominant with 30 wins, four draws, and just two defeats.
The Blaugrana have won the last three meetings, most recently a 4-0 win in Barcelona in November. Oihan Sancet saw red, while Ferran Torres scored a double. And this meeting last term ended in a 3-0 win for Barca, as they stormed to the 2024-25 title.
In terms of recent form, Bilbao have won three, drawn one, and lost two of their last six games, while Barcelona have won four and lost two. In La Liga, the Lions have won three of the last six, while Barca have won five.
Betting Tip
Athletic Club are a long shot to win this clash at SBOTOP odds of 4.75, with the draw at 4.33, and Barcelona at 1.60. And while Valverde’s men have been picking up regular wins in the league, I don’t give them much chance this Saturday.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
