MX23RW : Sunday, September 29 21:06:36| >> :120:25283:25283:
[monks data]
Athletic Bilbao logo
La Liga | Gameweek 2
Jan 6, 2021 at 8pm UK
San Mamés Barria
Barcelona logo

Athletic Bilbao
2 - 3
Barcelona

Williams (3'), Muniain (90')
Vesga (27'), Garcia (70')
FT(HT: 1-2)
Pedri (14'), Messi (38', 62')
Lenglet (57')

How Barcelona could line up against Athletic Bilbao

Sports Mole looks at how Barcelona could line up for Wednesday's La Liga fixture against Athletic Bilbao.

Barcelona go up against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday evening looking to extend their unbeaten record in La Liga to seven matches.

The recent upturn in results has put the Catalan giants in a position where victory at the San Mames Stadium will move the club into third position in the standings.

However, with a number of long-term injuries to contend with, Ronald Koeman will likely make changes for the club's second game in 72 hours.

Here, Sports Mole predicts how Barcelona could line up for the game against opponents who have just appointed Marcelino as their new manager.



BARCXI VS. ATH

Out: Ansu Fati (knee), Gerard Pique (knee), Sergi Roberto (muscle), Philippe Coutinho (knee)

While positives and negatives were taken from the 1-0 victory at bottom-of-the-table side Huesca on Sunday, it is unlikely to influence Koeman's thinking regarding his next XI.

The Dutchman needs to manage the fitness of his squad, and that should lead to Miralem Pjanic getting the nod over veteran midfielder Sergio Busquets.

Having started six games since December 13, Martin Braithwaite could drop out of the team in order to give an opportunity to Antoine Griezmann.

Ousmane Dembele completed 90 minutes for just the third time in two months at the weekend, something which may relegate the Frenchman to the substitutes' bench.

Francisco Trincao, who is without a league start all season, could be drafted into the team, with Lionel Messi taking his place on the opposite flank.

Philippe Coutinho will play no part in this match after it was revealed that he required surgery on a knee injury.

ID:429114: cacheID:429114:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3928:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman pictured in October 2020
Read Next:
Koeman pleased with Braithwaite, Dembele
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Rams
18-24
Bears
FT
Eagles
16-33
Buccaneers
FT
Steelers
24-27
Colts
FT
Saints
24-26
Falcons
FT
Broncos
10-9
Jets
FT
Vikings
31-29
Packers
FT
Bengals
34-24
Panthers
FT
Jags
20-24
Texans
9.05pm
Patriots
@
49ers
9.05pm
Washington
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Chiefs
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Browns
@
Raiders
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona87012591621
2Real Madrid75201651117
3Atletico MadridAtletico7430113815
4Athletic Bilbao8422128414
5Mallorca842286214
6Villarreal74211414014
7Osasuna84221213-114
8Real BetisBetis833287112
9Rayo Vallecano824298110
10Celta Vigo83141515010
11AlavesAlaves83141112-110
12GironaGirona8233911-29
13Sevilla8233810-29
14Real Sociedad822467-18
15Getafe814356-17
16Leganes814359-47
17Espanyol8215712-57
18Valencia8125513-85
19Real ValladolidValladolid8125417-135
20Las PalmasLas Palmas7034813-53


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!