FC Barcelona - Athletic Predictions

FC Barcelona started the league season in almost dream fashion. They thrashed Elche 5-0 away from home in the opening round, and in the second matchday they immediately face a big clash against Athletic. How will this highly anticipated encounter unfold?

• Athletic have lost their last four matches
• FC Barcelona have not lost any of their last seven matches against this opponent
• The Basque side will go into the game with a depleted squad

FC Barcelona - Athletic Predictions

Few people probably expected FC Barcelona to thrash Elche so convincingly in the opening round of La Liga, when many players are still lacking match rhythm and top form. Playing without a traditional centre-forward, the Catalan giants won 5-0, while their new signings impressed.

Our pick: Over 2.5 goals at odds of 1.47

Hansi Flick made plenty of changes, while Athletic made a poor start to the season, losing 3-1 to Sevilla. The Basque side have suffered heavy defeats at Camp Nou in recent years, and everything suggests they may have to wait even longer to finally turn things around.

FC Barcelona - Athletic Betting odds

Bookmakers see a Barcelona victory as the most likely outcome. The odds for a home win are as low as 1.30 (-333). The odds for a draw range between 5.50 (450) and 6.00 (500). The highest odds are available for Athletic, who have not won away at Barcelona for a very long time. Their victory is priced at 8.50 (750).

• Check out our other soccer predictions

Predicted lineups

Against Elche, Hansi Flick opted for a highly experimental lineup. Joao Cancelo could be expected to return to the starting XI against Athletic. Bardghji will definitely miss the game through injury, as will De Jong. Fortunately, Gavi's injury is not serious and he could feature. Balde, Casado and Fort, meanwhile, are currently involved in transfer negotiations. Athletic have a very long list of absentees: Berchiche, Egiluz, Gorosabel and Vivian, among others.

• FC Barcelona: J. Garcia - E. Garcia, Cubarsi, Martin, Cancelo - Bernal, Pedri, Yamal, Lopez, Adeyemi - Raphinha
• Athletic: Simon - Areso, Laporte, Paredes, Boiro, Gerenabarrena, Canales, I. Williams, Sancet, N. Williams - Guruzeta

Recent results

Barcelona began their league campaign with a 5-0 demolition of Elche. Earlier, they beat Al Ahly 2-1 in the Gamper Trophy and also thrashed FC Basel 5-2. Athletic, meanwhile, made a very poor start, losing 3-1 at home to Sevilla. Before that, they suffered a 3-1 defeat against Real Zaragoza.

FC Barcelona - Recent matches

23.08.2026 - Elche - FC Barcelona 0:5 (La Liga)
19.08.2026 - FC Barcelona - Al Ahly 2:1 (Friendly)
16.08.2026 - Basel - FC Barcelona 2:5 (Friendly)
08.08.2026 - Udinese - FC Barcelona 1:0 (Friendly)
08.08.2026 - FC Barcelona - Nottingham Forest 1:0 (Friendly)

Athletic - Recent matches

22.08.2026 - Athletic - Sevilla 1:3 (La Liga)
21.08.2026 - Real Zaragoza - Athletic 3:1 (Friendly)
14.08.2026 - Atalanta - Athletic 1:0 (Friendly)
09.08.2026 - Olympique Marseille - Athletic 3:1 (Friendly)
01.08.2026 - Burgos - Athletic 0:3 (Friendly)

FC Barcelona - Athletic La Liga match

The pre-season friendlies, as well as the opening round of La Liga, have shown that Athletic are currently in a difficult situation and far from their best form. The Basque side's losing streak has reached four matches, and in the upcoming round they will face Barcelona at Camp Nou, where they have not won for many years. Barcelona are not yet at their best at the start of the season, but they have made a flying start and are hungry for more. It could end with another heavy defeat for Athletic.

Broadcast

The match will take place on Thursday, August 27, at 2:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM PT in the United States and at 8:00 PM CEST in Central Europe. The teams will face each other at Camp Nou. In Spain, the Barcelona vs Athletic Club match will be available live on DAZN.