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Athletic Bilbao logo
La Liga
Feb 8, 2015 at 8pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

2-5

Rico (59'), Aduriz (66')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Messi (15'), Suarez (26'), De Marcos (62'), Neymar (64'), Pedro (86')

Preview: Athletic Bilbao vs. Barcelona

Sports Mole previews the match between Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona in La Liga.

Barcelona will be looking to record their ninth consecutive win in all competitions when they travel to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday night.

The Catalan giants have netted 29 goals during a rich vein of form which has seen them maintain pace with Real Madrid in the La Liga table as well as seeing off the challenge of Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey.

Luis Enrique's team had to dig deep to edge out Villarreal at Camp Nou last weekend, but the club's coach would have been delighted to have witnessed his side show impressive resilience for the second time in the space of four days.

The starting lineup is unlikely to be altered for the trip to Bilbao, with Enrique hoping that Luis Suarez can break his current four-game run without a goal.

Bilbao welcome Barca having recovered from a dismal run of results that had seen them fall to five defeats in six matches.

However, since January 21, Los Leones have won twice and drawn twice to improve their fortunes in both league and cup, conceding just one goal during the same period.

Goals at the other end of the pitch remain a problem though, and manager Ernesto Valverde will be hoping that Aritz Aduriz can continue his improvement in front of goal after previously scoring just twice in 13 games.

Valverde could include Xabier Etxeita in his defence, with Andoni Iraola having to sit out the match through suspension.

Athletic Bilbao:

Form in La Liga: LLLLDW
Form in all competitions: LLDDWW

Possible starting lineup: Iraizoz, Etxeita, Balenziaga, Laporte, Gurpegi, Iturraspe, Mikel Rico, Aduriz, Muniain, De Marcos, Unai Lopez

Barcelona:

Form in La Liga: WLWWWW
Form in all competitions: WWWWWW

Possible starting lineup: Bravo; Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Alba; Busquets, Rafinha, Iniesta; Neymar, Suarez, Messi

Sports Mole says: 1-4


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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid36296183226193
2Barcelona36247574433179
3GironaGirona36236775453075
4Atletico MadridAtletico36234967392873
5Athletic Bilbao361711858372162
6Real Sociedad361512949371257
7Real BetisBetis36141484843556
8Villarreal36149136060051
9Valencia36139143740-348
10Getafe361013134151-1043
11AlavesAlaves36119163445-1142
12Sevilla361011154750-341
13Osasuna36118174054-1441
14Las PalmasLas Palmas36108183246-1438
15Rayo Vallecano36814142944-1538
16Celta Vigo36910174254-1237
17Mallorca36715142941-1236
18CadizCadiz36614162549-2432
RGranada3649233770-3321
RAlmeria36211233572-3717


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