Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao: Flick Targets 16th Super Cup – Can Nico’s Struggling Lions Repeat 2021 Final Win over Yamal’s High-flying Catalans

Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao: Flick Targets 16th Super Cup – Can Nico’s Struggling Lions Repeat 2021 Final Win over Yamal’s High-flying Catalans

The last time Athletic Bilbao faced Barcelona in a Spanish Super Cup final in 2021, they emerged as 3-2 victors. This time, the teams meet in the semifinal, with a high-flying Blaugrana side facing an Athletic team battling for consistency.

It's Spanish Super Cup action on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, as Barcelona face Athletic Bilbao. Blaugrana boss Hansi Flick will be aiming to steer his dominant side into another final.

 

📈Team Form📉

 

🔵 Barcelona: Top (1st) of La Liga.

🔴 Athletic Bilbao: Eighth (8th) in La Liga.

 

📊Key Stats & Head-to-Head📊

 

🔥 Barcelona are on an eight-match winning streak in all competitions.

🔥 Barcelona are unbeaten in their last five meetings against Athletic.

🔥 Barcelona have conceded just once in their last five games against Athletic.

🔥 Athletic's last Super Cup win over Barcelona was a 3-2 victory in the 2021 final.

 

🔬 What to Expect From Both Teams 🔥

 

🔵Barcelona | Form: W🟢W🟢W🟢W🟢W🟢W🟢:

Hansi Flick's side are the heavy favourites and defending champions. They have not lost a domestic fixture since the end of October.

Barcelona beat Athletic 4-0 in the league this season and will be confident of booking a spot in Sunday's final.

 

🔴Athletic Bilbao | Form: W🟢D🟡L🔴W🟢L🔴D🟡:

It has been a difficult first half of the campaign for Ernesto Valverde's side. They have only one win in their last five matches.

The Lions know what it takes to win this cup, but face a tough task against an in-form Barcelona.

 

👥 Predicted Lineups 👥

 

🔵Barcelona (possible):

J Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martin, Balde; E Garcia, De Jong; Raphinha, Pedri, Yamal; Torres.

 

🔴Athletic Bilbao (possible):

Simon; Gorosabel, Vivian, Paredes, Boiro; Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar; I Williams, Sancet, N Williams; Guruzeta.

 

🔥 Matchups & Players to Watch 👀

 

✨ Lamine Yamal — set to operate in a wide area for Barcelona, providing an attacking threat.

✨ Nico Williams — admired by Barcelona, his pace and skills will be key for Athletic on the counter.

✨ Ferran Torres — expected to lead the line for Barcelona and look to score.

✨ Gorka Guruzeta — scored last time out for Athletic and will look to keep his starting spot.

 

💵 Odds Market on MSport 💵

 

💵 Barcelona to win = 1.53

💵 Athletic Bilbao to win = 5.98

💵 Both teams to score (GG/NG Yes) = 1.66

💵 Over 2.5 total goals = 1.53

 

This clash presents a classic contrast: a confident, in-form Barcelona side chasing history faces an Athletic team desperate to salvage their season.

With history offering a slim hope for the underdogs, the stage in Jeddah is set for a compelling Spanish Super Cup night.

Who do you think will advance to the final? Tell us your prediction in the comments.

 

🔗 You can follow the Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao game here on MSport.

 

#Barcelona #AthleticBilbao #SuperCopa #Flick #Valverde #Yamal #Lamine #Nico #Williams #Inaki #Raphina #Pedri #Lewandoski #Olmo

 

South Africa vs Cameroon: Broos Faces Former Team – Can Bafana Bafana Repeat 1996 AFCON 3-0 Win

South Africa vs Cameroon: Broos Faces Former Team – Can Bafana Bafana Repeat 1996 AFCON 3-0 Win

The last time South Africa faced Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996, Bafana Bafana secured a 3-0 victory on their way to lifting the trophy.

This time, they meet again in the knockout stage, only now under the guidance of Hugo Broos, the coach who delivered Cameroon’s last AFCON title in 2017.

It's AFCON Round of 16 action on Sunday, January 4, as South Africa takes on an unbeaten Cameroon side in Marrakech. Bafana boss Hugo Broos will be aiming to mastermind a victory against the nation he once led to glory.

 

📈Team Form📉

 

🔹 South Africa: Finished second in Group B with six points. 

🔸 Cameroon: Finished second in Group F on the same points (7) as first-placed Ivory Coast, their group unbeaten.

 

📊Key Stats & Head-to-Head📊

 

🔥 South Africa has conceded four goals in three group games, a defensive concern.

🔥 Cameroon have let in just two goals so far in the tournament.

🔥 This is the 10th meeting; South Africa has lost just once (3 wins, 5 draws).

🔥 Their only AFCON clash was a 3-0 South Africa win in 1996.

 

🔬 What to Expect From Both Teams 🔥

 

🟡South Africa | Form: W🟢L🔴W🟢:

Hugo Broos’s side showed attacking threat with five group goals, but worryingly conceded four. Their previously solid defence has become a vulnerability they must fix to advance.

 

🟢Cameroon | Form: W🟢D🟡W🟢:

Unbeaten and scoring in every game, Cameroon blend youth with experience. Coach David Pagou has labelled South Africa as favourites, perhaps aiming to ease pressure on his developing side.

 

👥 Predicted Lineups 👥

 

🟡South Africa (possible):

Williams; Mudau, Modiba, Mbokazi, Ngezana; Mokoena, Aubaas, Mbule; Mofokeng, Appollis, Foster.

 

🟢Cameroon (possible):

Epasy; Tolo, Kotto, Malone; Yongwa, Baleba, Avom, Tchamadeu; Loader, Mbeumo; Kofane.

 

🔥 Matchups & Players to Watch 👀

 

✨Ronwen Williams – The Bafana goalkeeper will be crucial if the defence is breached again.

✨Christian Bassogog – The experienced winger remains from Broos’ 2017 winning squad.

✨Bryan Mbeumo – Provides the attacking intelligence for Cameroon.

✨Relebohile Mofokeng – A strong candidate to spark South Africa’s creativity.

 

💵 Odds Market on MSport 💵

 

💵South Africa/Home to win = 3.37

💵Cameroon/Away to win = 2.52

💵Both teams to score (GG/NG Yes) = 1.95

💵Over 2.5 total goals = 2.35

 

This clash is a tactical battle between Broos’s experience and Pagou’s new-look Cameroon. With historical advantage but current defensive woes, South Africa faces a perfect test of their knockout pedigree.

Who do you think will secure a quarter-final spot? Tell us your prediction in the comments.

 

 

🔗 You can follow the South Africa vs Cameroon game here on MSport.

 

#BafanaBafana #Cameroon #AFCON2025 #RoundOf16 #Broos #Pagou #Marrakech

 

Man City vs Chelsea: Haaland Aims to Do Damage to Managerless Blues – Can Palmer’s Chelsea Overcome Etihad Heat

Man City vs Chelsea: Haaland Aims to Do Damage to Managerless Blues – Can Palmer’s Chelsea Overcome Etihad Heat

The last time Chelsea won against Manchester City was in the 2021 UEFA Champions League final. This time, a managerless Blues side travels to the Etihad Stadium to face a City team looking to maintain momentum at the top.

It's Premier League action on Sunday, January 4, 2026, as Manchester City hosts Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium. Pep Guardiola will aim to continue his side's strong recent record against the Blues, who are now without the manager who brought them recent continental success.

 

📈Team Form📉

 

🔹 Manchester City: Positioned near the top, coming off a goalless draw against Sunderland.

🔸 Chelsea: Fifth in the table, winless in their last three Premier League games.

 

📊Key Stats & Head-to-Head 📊

 

🔥 Manchester City have won three consecutive matches against Chelsea.

🔥 Sergio Aguero is the all-time leading goalscorer in this fixture.

🔥 Chelsea's last victory over Manchester City was in the 2021 UCL final.

🔥 In 173 total meetings, Chelsea have 67 wins to City's 66, with 40 draws.

 

🔬 What to Expect From Both Teams 🔥

 

🔵Manchester City | All Competitions Form: W🟢W🟢W🟢W🟢D🟡:

 

Pep Guardiola's side will be eager to return to winning ways after being held by Sunderland. With key players returning from injury, they will be confident at the Etihad.

They have a dominant recent record against Chelsea and will look to control the game from the outset, exploiting the uncertainty in the visiting camp.

 

⚫Chelsea | All Competitions Form: W🟢W🟢D🟡L🔴D🟡:

 

The Blues enter a new era following the departure of their trophy-winning manager, arriving on the back of a defeat to Aston Villa and a draw with Bournemouth.

With morale potentially fragile, their focus will be on organisational solidity. They will need to defy recent history and their poor form to get a result against the reigning champions.

 

👥 Predicted Lineups 👥

 

🔵Manchester City (possible):

Donnarumma (GK), Nunes, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol, Silva, Gonzalez, Foden, Doku, Cherki, Haaland.

 

⚫Chelsea (possible):

Sánchez (GK), James, Fofana, Chalobah, Gusto, Caicedo, Fernández, Estevão, Palmer, Neto, Pedro.

 

🔥 Matchups & Players to Watch 👀

 

✨ Foden — The English midfielder is set to feature in a big game he is typically known for showing up in.

✨ Trevoh Chalobah — The defender has scored three goals this term and will be key for Chelsea at both ends of the pitch.

✨ Erling Haaland — The City striker will be the constant threat for a Chelsea side winless in three.

 

💵 Odds Market on MSport 💵

 

💵 Man City/Home to win = 1.70

💵 Chelsea/Away to win = 4.87

💵 Both teams to score (GG/NG Yes) = 1.57

💵 Over 2.5 total goals = 1.52

 

This clash presents a stark contrast: a dominant Manchester City side at home faces a Chelsea team in transition and struggling for form.

With history heavily favouring the hosts, the Etihad is set for a potentially one-sided Premier League encounter.

Who do you think will take the points? Tell us your prediction in the comments.

 

 

 

🔗 You can follow the Manchester City vs Chelsea game here on MSport.

 

#ManCity #Chelsea #PremierLeague #Guardiola #Etihad #Pep #Haaland #Palmer #Foden #EPL

 

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