Barcelona, the reigning La Liga champions, will aim to bounce back in the Spanish top flight as they host Athletic Bilbao at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Sunday night. The Catalan team currently sits in third place in the La Liga table, having earned 21 points from their first nine matches of the 2023-24 campaign. Athletic, on the other hand, is in fifth place with 19 points from their opening nine games.
Despite a lengthy injury list, Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde are expected to be available for the match. Meanwhile, several key players, including Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Frenkie de Jong, and Pedri, are still out, but there are hopes for their return in the coming week. Athletic will be without Nico Williams and Yeray Alvarez due to injury, but Aitor Paredes and Iker Muniain are expected to step up in their absence.
Barcelona vs. Athletic Bilbao – lineups
Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Ter Stegen; Cancelo, Christensen, Araujo, Balde; Gundogan, Romeu, Gavi; Yamal, F Torres, Felix
Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Simon; De Marcos, Paredes, Vivian, Berchiche; Herrera, D Garcia; I Williams, Sancet, Muniain; Guruzeta
