As for the visitors, while new Barca boss Quique Setién may have seen his side snatch a 2-1 win off of Levante at the Nou Camp last week, Blaugrana sit three points adrift of Real Madrid and top spot in the La Liga table. Including being hit with a 2-0 defeat away at Valencia last month, the former European champions have won just three of their last seven La Liga appearances and have continued to show some worrying struggles on the road. Failing to win any of their last three matches on their travels, including dropping points away at relegation scrappers Espanyol, the former Real Betis manager has seen his squad land just a pair of top-flight victories outside of Catalonia since the 19th of October. While the reigning La Liga champions might be showing some continued issues at the back, it is no surprise that attacking talisman Lionel Messi has continued to shine this season. Bagging a brace in Barca s 5-0 win over Leganes in the last round of the Copa del Rey, the six-time Ballon d Or winner has already recorded 19 strikes since opening the 2019/2020 campaign, including five goals in his last seven outings.
Team News
Oumsane Dembele faces a long spell on the sidelines after suffering a serious hamstring tear on his return to training, while Luis Suarez remains sidelined.
Arturo Vidal, who missed Sunday s win over Levante, trained with the squad ahead of Thursday s match and has since been passed fit for the Copa tie in Bilbao.
Key Factors to Consider
When the two sides faced off earlier in the season, Athletic Bilbao picked up a 1-0 win at the San Mamés Barria.
Also unbeaten in their last three matches against Barcelona, the two sides played out back-to-back draws last season.
Bilbao have failed to win any of their last seven La Liga matches, drawing five of those contests.
Lionel Messi has scored five goals in his last seven matches across all competitions.
Barcelona have failed to win any of their last three La Liga matches away from the Nou Camp, drawing two of those contests.
Conclusion
While the reigning champions might open Thursday s contest as a favourite with the bookmakers, Bilbao will certainly prove to be a tough test. Snatching a 1-0 win when they welcomed Barcelona to the San Mamés Barria earlier in the season, the two sides also played out back-to-back stalemates last year. Coupled with Quique Setién s men failing to win any of their last three away matches against La Liga opposition and Atletico drawing five of their last seven contests, we re backing a similar stalemate in Bilbao on Thursday.
Verdict: Draw
Best Odds:
