MX23RW : Monday, June 10 10:33:16| >> :120:9594:9594:
[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
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid38298187266195
2Barcelona38267579443585
3GironaGirona38256785463981
4Atletico MadridAtletico382441070432776
5Athletic Bilbao381911861372468
6Real Sociedad3816121051391260
7Real BetisBetis38141594845357
8Villarreal381411136565053
9Valencia381310154045-549
10AlavesAlaves381210163646-1046
11Osasuna38129174556-1145
12Getafe381013154254-1243
13Celta Vigo381011174657-1141
14Sevilla381011174854-641
15Mallorca38816143344-1140
16Las PalmasLas Palmas381010183347-1440
17Rayo Vallecano38814162948-1938
RCadizCadiz38615172655-2933
RAlmeria38312234375-3221
RGranada3849253879-4121


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!