Athletic Bilbao Vs Barcelona Prediction: Blaugrana Dismiss Inconsistency In Saudi Arabia

Barcelona has an ambitious target in the Copa del Rey (photo: x @fcbarcelona)

Athletic Bilbao will face Barcelona in the 2025 Spanish Super Cup semifinals which will take place in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, January 8. Athletic came as Copa del Rey champion, while Barcelona have the right to appear thanks to their second position in La Liga last season.

Athletic Bilbao appeared in the format of four Spanish Super Cup teams for the third time after winning the Copa del Rey last season. Los Leones managed to end a 40-year wait with a win on penalties against Mallorca in the April final.

80 Valverde's side are in an impressive performance without defeat in the last 15 games in all competitions, including six wins and four draws in 10 La Liga games. Currently, they sit in fourth place, only two points behind Barcelona in third place.

However, Athletic faced a tough test in the last 32 of the Copa del Rey against Logrones, the fourth division team. After a 120-minute goalless draw, Athletic finally won on penalties.

Despite recording a dramatic victory over Barcelona in extra time in the Copa del Rey last season, Athletic has not beaten the Blaugrana in normal time since a 1-0 win in February 2020.

Barcelona, such as Athletic, also started the Copa del Rey with an easy 4-0 win over Barbastro, the fourth division team. Robert Lewandowski scored twice, while Eric Garcia and Pablo Torre each contributed one goal.

However, the Blaugrana are struggling to find consistency. After a brilliant start to the season with 11 wins from 12 La Liga matches, their performance dropped drastically, winning only once in the last seven league games (D2, L4). As a result, Barcelona are now in third place, three points behind Atletico Madrid and five points behind Real Madrid.

With the hope of ending the league title drought, Hansi Flick wants to bring his team back, starting from the semifinals of this Super Cup. Barcelona have a good record in this competition, qualifying for the final in the last two editions, and will look for their 15th title.

Coachpanyi Valverde kemungkinan akan merotasi squad setelah memberikan waktu bermain kepada pemain pelayer saat melawan Logrones. Unai Simon, Andoni Gorosabel, Dani Vivian, dan Yuri Berchiche diharapkan kembali ke starting XI.

Benat Prados and Mikel Jauregizar could be options in midfield, while Nico Williams and Inaki Williams are expected to fill the wings to support Guruzeta in attack.

Barcelona are having problems with registering players Dani Olmo and Pau Victor, although both remain in the squad brought to Saudi Arabia. Andreas Christensen and Hector Fort have recovered from injury, but Ferran Torres is doubtful.

Lamine Yamal, who has just recovered from an ankle injury, is likely to only play off the bench. Flick is expected to field some core players such as Inaki Pena, Alejandro Balde, Gavi, and Raphinha from the start of the match.

Athletic Bilbao (4-2-3-1): Simon; De Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche; Jauregizar, Prados; I. Williams, Berenguer, N. Williams; Guruzeta.

Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Raphinha, Gavi, Fermin; Lewandowski.