How to watch Barcelona vs Athletic Club on September 29, 2018

September 28, 2018 By Ali M.

Topics: Barcelona TV Schedule, Athletic Club TV Schedule, Football TV Schedules, Barcelona, Athletic Club, La Liga

LiveSoccerTV is your one-stop place for facts, stats, and viewing info for this Spanish Primera Division clash between Barcelona and Athletic Club on September 29.

On Saturday, Barcelona will take on an Athletic Bilbao side that has been struggling so far this season and will thus be the favorite to win. If you think this sounds all too familiar, it's because there was a similar narrative surrounding the Blaugrana's midweek clash with Leganes.

The Catalan giant was the undefeated league leader entering that tie while their opponent was sitting at the bottom of the table without a single win. However, it was the defending champion that suffered defeat, losing 2-1 in a shock result.

For Ernesto Valverde's men, the main goal will be to return to winning ways. Messi and Co. are winless in the last two games, drawing 2-2 at home to Girona before Wednesday's loss.

Barcelona still tops the standings, mainly due to Real Madrid's 3-0 loss to Sevilla. Los Blancos will take on Atletico Madrid over the weekend, which means the Copa del Rey holder can pull away from Lopetegui's side should they slip up in the Madrid Derby.

Of course, this relies on the Camp Nou outfit triumphing. As previously mentioned, Athletic Bilbao hasn't begun the season well, winning one, drawing three, and losing four of their first five games.

The Basques are yet to keep a clean sheet this term, which spells great news for the likes of Messi and Suarez. On the flip side, Samuel Umtiti's absence could hand the away side more chances in the final third.

The Frenchman is suffering from a knee problem and is thus tipped to miss this game. Pique, despite his blunder that awarded Leganes their winning goal, will likely start, with either Clement Lenglet or Thomas Vermaelen set to partner him in the back-four.

Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez should return to the lineup, but Valverde will be wary of their crucial upcoming Champions League tie against Tottenham. It's a toss between resting a few players for the trip to London or going all out to bounce back from defeat. Only time will reveal what Valverde has in mind.

Match facts

Barcelona has won their last eight home games against Athletic Bilbao in La Liga.
The Basque side's last win at Camp Nou in the league came 17 years ago.
The Blaugrana has managed only two clean sheets in the Spanish top-flight this season, having conceded against the likes of Leganes, Girona and Huesca.
However, Messi and Co. have found the back of the net a whopping 17 times in La Liga alone in 2018/19.