Barça travel to Bilbao without Rafa Marquez but Eric Abidal returns to the squad after missing Thursday’s Copa Del Rey match at Villarreal. Marquez has not recovered from a knock he received in that game but Valdés, Sylvinho, Deco, Milito and Xavi who missed training on Friday have all recovered in time. Carles Puyol is over his cold and will almost certainly start.
Athletic coach, Joaquin Caparros, will have to reorganize the defence as Amorebiata is suspended, and Iraizoz and Etxeberria are still out injured. Yeste will return to midfield after missing Thursday’s 2-0 cup defeat at Racing through suspension. Athletic are currently 15th in the table on 22 points and their main problem this season has been scoring goals; top scorer, Aritz Aduriz, has only managed to find the net on four occassions so far in the league this season. However, they gave Real Madrid plenty of problems in the league meeting at San Mames in December before losing 0-1, and in their last home league meeting they beat Sevilla 2-0 with goals from Yeste and Susaeta.
Victor Valdés will be hoping to continue with his impressive run of clean sheets, the last time he was beaten was in the cup game at Sevilla, and he hasn’t conceded in the league in 2008. With Marquez out, there could be a return to the team for Edmilson in the defensive-midfield role, though Rijkaard may decide to play Iniesta there again. Leo Messi should return to the starting lineup after two appearances as substitute which will probably mean Giovani will start on the bench. Gudjohnsen may also return in place of Deco, as he only played ten minutes on Thursday and will therefore be fresher.
Last season Barça won the corresponding fixture 1-3: an early goal from Yeste gave Athletic the lead, but after Casas was sent off in the 18th minute Barça turned the game round easily and second half goals from Ustaritz in his own goal, Saviola and Gudjohnsen gave Barça the points. Earlier this season Barça at Camp Nou 3-1 with two from Ronaldinho and a rocket from Toure Yaya. Read about that game and see the goals again by clicking here
Rijkaard has named the following 18 for the game: Valdés, Pinto, Zambrotta, Oleguer, Puyol, Thuram, Milito, Abidal, Sylvinho, Edmilson, Xavi, Deco, Gudjohnsen, Iniesta, Giovani, Messi, Bojan, Henry.
Possible starting XI: Valdés, Zambrotta, Puyol, Milito, Abidal; Xavi, Edmilson, Gudjohnsen; Messi, Henry, Iniesta.
My Prediction: Athletic 0 Barça 2
Send your predictions; you could win the admiration of millions.
20 responses so far ↓
Blaugrana // Jan 26, 2008 at 17:01
Since athletic have problems scoring and our defence looking strong,a loss and a draw are out of the question i’d say 0-1 to us titi scoring in the last minutes, lol
Siim // Jan 26, 2008 at 17:11
Athletic 0 - 2 Barcelona
Since Ronaldinho hasn’t returned I feel there might be a bit more than just the knee injury. I don’t think he’s faking it but he may have somekind of a psychological reluctance to get back on the pitch. I hope his will hasn’t broken under the pressure of fans, media and everyones high hopes. We excpect you back, R10!
Nic // Jan 26, 2008 at 17:23
Hi Siim, there are suggestions that Ronnie will be back next week. Let’s hope he is at 100%.
R.Marsh // Jan 26, 2008 at 17:56
I predict a 0-3 to barca’s favour,with goals coming from henry,iniesta and some other midfielder.Im sure when Ronnie returns he will be at 100% fitness seeing the amount of work he has been doing both on and off the pitch.
june16_1904 // Jan 26, 2008 at 17:57
Does anyone think that Thiago Motta will get some time on the field?
Nic // Jan 26, 2008 at 18:13
June16-1904 - I think you are confusing Athletic with Atletico.
Youssef Gazia // Jan 26, 2008 at 19:20
1-2 Barcelona. Anything less than 3 points will be unexeptable.
Youssef Gazia // Jan 26, 2008 at 19:24
It would be nice if you included staduim attendance in your post-match reports. Cheers.
Blaugrana // Jan 26, 2008 at 19:27
ATLETICO MADRID& ATHLETIC BILBAO, 2 diffrent teams similer names always gota read carefully, on ronaldinho i think he’ll see much of the bench the 2nd half of the season And i thnk he should cut his hair to show a newer more improvd player,lol
Dr.Osmo // Jan 26, 2008 at 19:38
My Prediction: Athletic 0 Barça 3
Titi186 // Jan 26, 2008 at 19:39
I reckon this will be a lot tighter than most people expect.
This team are near the relagtion zone and know they mas aswell sit back and defend as just 1 point would be much more than would expect.
I agree with Blaugrana that it will be 0-1 with Barca scoring late on. I dont care who scores but incase the scum of Madrid slip up then we need to take advantage.
Thanks again for the effort you take to write these previews Nic!!
Titi186
Nic // Jan 26, 2008 at 20:31
Youssef - for some reason the attendances are not usually given in the Spanish press, perhaps it is to allow them to fiddle the books and pay less tax. When they are given they often don’t agree with each other. However, I will give them if I find them. Does anyone know a source that offers them?
Blaugrana, not sure about the haircut for Ronnie, have a look at this picture -
http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1635000/images/_1635051_ronaldinho150.jpg
Michael Maré // Jan 27, 2008 at 8:16
I predict a scoreline of Bilbao 0 - Barca 3.
Go Barca
Youssef Gazia // Jan 27, 2008 at 13:10
Yes nic, if you go on the clubs official website, and click on the match report, it will give you the attendance in the top of the page.
Nic // Jan 27, 2008 at 14:34
Thanks Youssef. It seems they only give the attendance for home games. But I’ll try and add the attendance when I can. It may come later than my match report in the same way that the video links get added later.
FCB - Canada // Jan 27, 2008 at 15:57
2-0 Barca.
Nic // Jan 27, 2008 at 18:07
Lineup announced: Valdes, Zambrotta, Thuram, Puyol, Sylvinho; Xavi, Iniesta, Deco; Messi, Bojan, Henry
Dr.Osmo // Jan 27, 2008 at 21:01
Bilbao 1-1 Barca
Blaugrana // Jan 27, 2008 at 21:37
Dr.Osmo dont say that is a prediction because the final whistle came and went,
Nic // Jan 27, 2008 at 22:59
Don’t worry Blaugrana, Dr Osmo was just reporting the score before I could put up my report.
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