Barcelona/Athletic
Barcelona ML (-160)
If Athletic was healthy I think this would be a closer game than the odds dictate but I think with key injuries they will struggle to keep up with Barcelona who is almost at 100% (missing De Jong, Fati, Araujo, Gundogan, and Gavi). Atheltic on the other side of the field will be without Djalo, Inigo Ruiz De Galarreta, Unai Simon, Nico Serrano, Osacr de Marcos, Julen Agirrezabala and Unai Simon. Of course Dani Olmo is healthy but Barca have yet to figure out their financial situation and can’t officially add him to the squad. Regardless of the injures that would help Barcelona, I think they have enough in Lewandowski, Pedri, Yamal, and Raphinha to get the job done.
While the Nico Williams transfer saga continues he will remain on Atheltic until further notice, now facing his rumored to be new team in Barcelona.
Coming off a 1-1 draw against Getafe last weekend Athletic didn’t really do much to impress me in all honesty. With just 7 total shots and 4 coming on goal, I am not expecting their offense to do much against Barcelona who held Valencia to just 6 total shots and 2 on goal last Saturday. Nico Williams is expected to start this game opposed to coming off the bench and getting subbed in at the 72’ last game (which was super confusing) but he should offer them some more offense than they received last game. Still not enough to break through this Barcelona back line though.
Barcelona is the better team, is expected to win this game and I think should in pretty easy fashion. The first game of the season at home against an inferior Atheltic team. They looked very good on both sides of the ball in the season opener, holding the Valencia offense to minimal chances as I discussed above and the offense scoring 2 goals on 18 total shots and 6 on goal. Although one of those goals came via penalty by Lewandowski they created plenty of chances prior to that.
I think we see a similar performance for FC Barcelona in route to another victory to start the season at the top of the La Liga table with 6 points GL.
