Athletic Club vs Barcelona Prediction, preview, team news and lineups 25.05.2025

• Date and Time: Sunday, May 25, 2025, 21:00 GMT+1
• Venue: San Mames, Bilbao, Spain

Athletic Club vs Barcelona Preview and Team News

Athletic Club Team News

Athletic Club secured their Champions League spot last week, after a 1-0 victory over Valencia. Thanks to a goal from Álex Berenguer, the team took the success to confirm their fourth spot in La Liga. 

This marks the first time since 2015 that the club will participate in the CL. The fourth spot also translates to qualifying for the Spanish Supercup, where the squad will face Barcelona in the semifinals.

🥰 𝓩𝓞𝓡𝓘𝓞𝓝𝓣𝓐𝓢𝓤𝓝𝓐

✊ @danivivian5 #AthleticClub 🦁 pic.twitter.com/fLR5kQKe34

— Athletic Club (@AthleticClub) May 19, 2025

The fortress of San Mames has been key in Athletic’s league campaign, having only conceded one defeat throughout the 24/25 season. Players like the Williams brothers and Oihan Sancet have helped implement a high-pressure strategy, which worked well with a local crowd. 

The only opponent that ended up defeating Bilbao in their fortress was Barcelona (1-0), the team eventually crowned the Spanish champions with a domestic treble.

A major aspect of it has been the defensive side. The Vivian-Paredes center-back partnership in the backline only conceded ten goals in eighteen home matches.

Athletic Club Predicted Line-up vs FC Barcelona

Athletic Club Predicted line-up vs FC Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Simón; Berchiche, Paredes, Vivian, Lekue; Prados, de Galarreta; Boiro, Sancet, Berenguer; Guruzeta

FC Barcelona Team News

Barcelona have been crowned champions of La Liga after they defeated Espanyol (2-0), leading to rotations against Villarreal. Coach Hansi Flick promised to give playtime to players who featured less often, including Ansu Fati and Hector Fort. 

He ended the season with a domestic treble and a semifinal run in the Champions League. His team lost to Villarreal (2-3), despite goals from Fermín López and Lamine Yamal. 

Good evening, Mr. Flick! 🏆🏆🏆 pic.twitter.com/oOObyDXVlC

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 20, 2025

The club have already turned to the Summer transfer market window, with reports claiming that the board are looking for a new goalkeeper. However, president Joan Laporta denied it in a press conference. 

He’s also confirmed that Athletic Club winger Nico Williams, a priority last Summer, is not an option anymore. According to local media, Flick has already communicated his transfer list, though the names have been kept secret.

Dani Rodriguez, Ferran Torres, and Marc Bernal will be sidelined with injuries, while Ronald Araújo and Jules Koundé are awaiting medical clearance.

Barcelona Predicted line-up vs Athletic Club

Barcelona Predicted line-up vs Athletic Club (4-2-3-1): Ter Stegen; Balde, Christensen, Cubarsí, Fort; Pedri, De Jong; Ansu Fati, López, Yamal; Lewandowski

Athletic Club vs Barcelona Prediction

• Prediction: Athletic Club to win 
• Odds: 3.28 (22Bet)
• Score Prediction: Athletic Club 2-1 Barcelona

With Barcelona rotating since they’ve already won the league, the match at San Mames is likely to provide an Athletic Club victory. The team does not have the squad to fully rotate, and will want revenge for losing to the visitors earlier this season. 

The hosts are fourth but will look to end in style, with the crowd celebrating a successful season. All players have returned from injuries, while some veteran players like De Marcos may get a send-off. 

Athletic Club vs Barcelona Betting Tip

• Pick: Nico Williams to score
• Odds: 3.75 (22Bet)

Nico Williams has been key throughout the campaign through his dribbling in one-on-one situations. With Koundé unlikely to feature, Williams will have the technical advantage over Hector Fort, who has struggled when defending. 

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