Barcelona and Athletic Club prepare for a Spanish Super Cup semi-final showdown on Wednesday.
Luis Enrique’s men will look to continue their winning run across all competitions, which now stands at eight matches, and book their spot in the final of the Spanish Supercup.
Barcelona vs Athletic Club – Match preview and team news
- Date: Wednesday, 7th January.
- Kick-off: 7pm BST.
- Venue: Alinma Bank Stadium, Jeddah.
Barcelona team news
Barcelona can hand starts to several key players returning from injury concerns ahead of the Spanish Super Cup semi-final. Dani Olmo has recovered from a shoulder dislocation suffered against Atlético Madrid and made a successful return against Espanyol with a goal, while Pedri is available after experiencing minor discomfort last month. Jules Kounde, who finished the Espanyol clash with minor issues, is expected to be available after getting the all-clear from the medical team.
Ronald Araujo has returned to training after a mental health break and is working his way back to full fitness. However, Hansi Flick confirmed he is “not 100% physically” and could see limited involvement. The Uruguayan defender’s return is vital given the injury to Andreas Christensen, who remains sidelined with a partial ACL tear sustained in late December training, with his recovery expected to extend until April.
Gavi is also unavailable after undergoing meniscus surgery on his right knee in September, with February targeted as his return month. The club has until January 9 to submit a medical report to La Liga to use 80% of Christensen’s salary towards registering a replacement. Barcelona have no suspended players for the semi-final tie.
Athletic Club team news
Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Club are managing a lengthy injury list ahead of their trip to Saudi Arabia. The squad faces significant absences with Aymeric Laporte sidelined by a leg injury expected to keep him out until mid-January, while Yuri Berchiche faces a similar recovery timeline with a hamstring problem.
Long-term absences include Benat Prados, who is ruled out for the season with a cruciate ligament injury, while Unai Eguiluz is also out until mid-February with the same injury. Yeray Alvarez is suspended and unavailable for selection.
Form
Barcelona
Hansi Flick’s side finished the first half of the season dominantly, extending their lead at the top of La Liga with a 2-0 victory over Espanyol on January 3.
Barcelona won the match through late goals from Dani Olmo and Robert Lewandowski, both set up by Fermin López, demonstrating their ability to find solutions even when facing resolute opposition. The Catalan giants have not lost a domestic fixture since El Clásico at the end of October.
Athletic Club
After a disappointing 1-1 draw with Osasuna on January 3, Athletic Club find themselves in eighth place with just 24 points from 19 matches, placing them four points adrift of sixth-placed Real Betis and European qualification. Valverde’s side has struggled for consistency this season, winning just seven league matches and drawing three times, while suffering nine defeats.
Predicted lineups
Barcelona: J Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martin, Balde; E Garcia, De Jong; Raphinha, Pedri, Yamal; Torres.
Athletic Club: Simon; Gorosabel, Vivian, Paredes, Boiro; Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar; I Williams, Sancet, N Williams; Guruzeta.
How to watch Barcelona vs Athletic Club?
UK viewers can watch Barcelona vs Athletic Club in the Spanish Super Cup on TNT Sports 1.
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