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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.

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Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman pictured in October 2020
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona14111242142834
2Atletico MadridAtletico148512181329
3Real Madrid1283125111427
4Villarreal137422521425
5Osasuna146441922-322
6GironaGirona146352018221
7Mallorca146351312121
8Athletic Bilbao135531913620
9Real BetisBetis145541616020
10Real Sociedad135351110118
11Celta Vigo145362224-218
12Sevilla145361318-518
13Rayo Vallecano134451314-116
14Leganes133551316-314
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves144191524-913
17Las PalmasLas Palmas143381825-712
18Valencia122461219-710
19Espanyol133191226-1410
20Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
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