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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 Madrid38298187266195
2Barcelona38267579443585
3GironaGirona38256785463981
4Atletico MadridAtletico382441070432776
5Athletic Bilbao381911861372468
6Real Sociedad3816121051391260
7Real BetisBetis38141594845357
8Villarreal381411136565053
9Valencia381310154045-549
10AlavesAlaves381210163646-1046
11Osasuna38129174556-1145
12Getafe381013154254-1243
13Celta Vigo381011174657-1141
14Sevilla381011174854-641
15Mallorca38816143344-1140
16Las PalmasLas Palmas381010183347-1440
17Rayo Vallecano38814162948-1938
RCadizCadiz38615172655-2933
RAlmeria38312234375-3221
RGranada3849253879-4121


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