Athletic Bilbao v Barcelona: La Liga betting preview, predictions & free tips

TV: ITV4, 8pm Friday

Barcelona have been crowned La Liga champions in eight of the last 11 seasons and the Catalan giants begin their latest title defence in the Basque country against Athletic Bilbao.

Ernesto Valverde may have come under fire for underperforming in the Champions League but Barcelona have accumulated 93 and 87 points in his first two seasons in charge in the league.

They have reinforced an already prolific front line with the addition of Antoine Griezmann and new addition Frenkie de Jong could be the long-awaited heir to Xavi's midfield throne.

Defensive issues may come back to haunt them later in the season but their rearguard should remain relatively untested by shot-shy Bilbao.

Valverde's former club scored as many goals (41) as basement boys Rayo Vallecano last term and fewer than relegated Huesca (43).

Their policy of signing only Basque players has proved to be a handicap, although highly-rated forward Inaki Williams did put pen to paper on a nine-year deal recently.

Nonetheless the combination of Bilbao's limited attacking threat and the likely absence of Lionel Messi for Barcelona points to a lack of goals.

Barcelona have won their two season openers under Valverde 2-0 and 3-0 and a similar scoreline should be expected at the San Mames.

What Bilbao lack in the final third, they make up for at the back.

Experienced defenders Inigo Martinez, Oscar de Marcos and Mikel Balenziaga shut out Barca in the corresponding fixture last campaign and, although defeat looks likely, they can limit the damage inflicted by their free-scoring front line.

Recommendation
Barcelona to win & under 4.5 goals
1pt 11-10 Betway, Coral

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