Barcelona vs Athletic Club Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News

Mikel Vesga, Lionel Messi
Messi in action against Atheltic Club | Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images

Athletic Club travel to Catalunya on Tuesday night to take on Lionel Messi’s Barcelona.

After a goalless draw at Sevilla on Friday, Quique Setien’s side no longer hold their title fate in their own hands – Real Madrid will go level with them if they win their game in hand on Sunday night, and Los Blancos hold the head-to-head advantage.

Luis SuarezLuis Suarez
Suarez warms up before the clash with Sevilla | Soccrates Images/Getty Images

Athletic, meanwhile, currently sit in ninth place. Saturday’s home win over Real Betis sets them up nicely for a battle for the last Europe League spot – but they haven’t won at Camp Nou since 2001.

When is Kick Off? Tuesday 23 June
What Time Is Kick Off? 21:00 (BST)
Where Is It Played? Camp Nou
TV Channel/Live Stream? La Liga TV (UK), Fubo (US)

Athletic Club v Real Betis Balompie  - La LigaAthletic Club v Real Betis Balompie  - La Liga
Inaki s in action against Real Betis | UGS Vision/MB Media/Getty Images

The home side will be without Ousmane Dembele, deregistered from their squad earlier in the season to allow for the arrival of Martin Braithwaite. Frenkie de Jong is likely to miss out with a calf injury, while Sergi Roberto is also a doubt. Sergio Busquets is suspended.

The away side have a clean bill of health, though defender Yuri Berchiche will miss out through suspension.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Umtiti, Alba; Rakitic, Arthur, Vidal; Messi, Suarez, Griezmann.

Atheltic Club: Simon; Capa, Nunez, Martinez, Balenziaga; Garcia, Lopez Garcia, Muniain, Cordoba; s.

Jordan, L. Ocampos, Lionel Messi, Luuk De JongJordan, L. Ocampos, Lionel Messi, Luuk De Jong
Messi strikes a free kick against Sevilla | Soccrates Images/Getty Images

La Blaugrana have won three of their last five outings, their last defeat coming at the hands of Madrid back at the start of March – and have won twice in three games since the restart of the league.

Athletic have drawn two of their three matches; and that win over Betis was their first taste of victory since before lockdown. With just two wins in their last five, Los Leones need to step up if they’re to challenge for European qualification.

Athletic Club v Real Betis Balompie  - La LigaAthletic Club v Real Betis Balompie  - La Liga
Muniain in action for Atheltic Club | UGS Vision/MB Media/Getty Images

Here’s how the two teams have fared in their last five outings.

Barcelona

Sevilla 0-0 Barcelona (19/6)
Barcelona 2-0 Leganes (16/6)
Mallorca 0-4 Barcelona (13/6)
Barcelona 1-0 Real Sociedad (7/3)
Real Madrid 2-0 Barcelona (1/3)

Atheltic Club

Athletic Club 1-0 Betis (20/6)
Eibar 2-2 Athetlic Club (17/6)
Atheltic Club 1-1 Atl. Madrid (14/6)
Valladolid 1-4 Atheltic Club (8/3)
Granada 2-1 Atheltic Club (5/3)

Lionel MessiLionel Messi
FC Barcelona v Real Sociedad – La Liga | Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Barcelona, with a fresh-faced and determined Lionel Messi, are looking to bounce back from their misfiring performance against Sevilla.

Athletic, just like most teams, have historically struggled to come away with anything from Camp Nou. With too much at stake for home side, expect a resounding Barça victory.

Prediction: Barcelona 3-0 Athletic

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