Barcelona welcome Athletic Club to the Spotify Camp Nou on Thursday for their delayed Matchday One fixture, having already begun their La Liga title defence with a commanding 5-0 victory away to Elche.
Raphinha and Fermin Lopez scored twice each in that opening win, while summer signing Karim Adeyemi marked his league debut with a goal. Anthony Gordon also supplied two assists from the bench as Hansi Flick's attack immediately demonstrated its depth.
Athletic need a response after losing 3-1 at home to Sevilla in Edin Terzic's first competitive match. Yuri Berchiche's 11th-minute red card shaped that defeat, but three successive losses and a one-sided recent record against Barcelona make this an even more demanding assignment.
Barcelona vs Athletic Club: Key Stats
Barcelona began their title defence with a 5-0 victory over Elche
Raphinha and Fermin Lopez both scored twice in the opening-day win
Barcelona have won the last six meetings, scoring 17 goals and conceding only once
Athletic have failed to score in five of those six defeats
Athletic have not won a La Liga match at Camp Nou since 2001
Photo Credit (Getty Images)
What to Expect
Barcelona should dominate possession and press Athletic high from the opening whistle. Marc Bernal and Pedri are expected to control midfield, allowing Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez and Karim Adeyemi to rotate around Raphinha. That fluid front line scored five at Elche without relying on a conventional centre-forward.
Rodri has returned to training after a minor back operation and could make his Barcelona debut from the bench. Frenkie de Jong remains sidelined with a knee ligament injury, while Gavi is unlikely to be risked after suffering a bruised knee against Elche.
Athletic must defend without the suspended Yuri Berchiche and injured centre-back Dani Vivian. Nico Williams should return to the starting XI and will be their main counterattacking outlet, but Terzic's side must first find a way to survive Barcelona's press and protect the spaces around their full-backs.
Predicted Lineups
Barcelona (4-2-3-1)
Joan Garcia; Espart, Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Martin; Bernal, Pedri; Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Adeyemi; Raphinha
Athletic Club (4-2-3-1)
Simon; Boiro, Paredes, Alvarez, Areso; Canales, Gerenabarrena; Berenguer, Sancet, Nico Williams; Guruzeta
Players to Watch
Raphinha - Barcelona's captain began the season with two goals and an assist at Elche. His movement into central positions allows Flick to play without a traditional striker, while his pressing can force mistakes from Athletic's reshaped defence.
Fermin Lopez - The midfielder scored twice from advanced positions on Sunday. His late runs are difficult to track and should be particularly dangerous when Raphinha and Adeyemi drag Athletic's centre-backs away from the penalty area.
Nico Williams - Athletic's most dangerous counterattacking weapon is expected to return to the starting lineup. His speed gives the visitors a route behind Barcelona's high defensive line, even if his opportunities in possession may be limited.
Oihan Sancet - Sancet must connect Athletic's midfield to Guruzeta and make the most of the visitors' limited attacking moments. His movement between the lines and finishing from the edge of the box offer their best chance of troubling Joan Garcia.
Prediction
Prediction: Barcelona -1.5 handicap @ 1.81
Barcelona opened with five goals, created several different routes to goal and can introduce players such as Anthony Gordon, Dani Olmo and Rodri from the bench. Athletic, meanwhile, conceded three at home to Sevilla and must now reorganise their defence without Berchiche and Vivian.
The head-to-head evidence is even stronger: Barcelona have won six consecutive meetings by a combined 17-1 score and kept five clean sheets during that sequence. Athletic's pace can create occasional transition threats, but Barcelona should control the match and possess too much attacking depth. A 3-0 home victory is the preferred scoreline.