The first Laliga game at Camp Nau for the 2024/25 campaign as Barcelona welcomes Athletic Bilbao. Barcelona have a boast from the opening game encounter as they completed a comeback to grab their first win of the season still at its infancy and a fist win for Hansi Flick as the new manager of Barcelona On Saturday it will all be the grandeur of the new season at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís (as Camp Nau is still being renovated) with Barcelona facing a fierce opponent, they will be all out to win the match and celebrate the new season in front of their fans.

Barcelona ranked amongst the very few teams (4 in number) who managed to win their opening fixture in the 2024/25 Laliga season. Three of them, including Barcelona, won the match 2goals to 1 while Valladolid remains the only team to win the opening fixture with a clean sheet (1:0 win). Lewandowsky within the space of 5 minutes from both 1st and 2nd half equalized and won the game for Barcelona and for his former and new manager Hansi Flick. He scored in the stoppage time of the first half, 45+5, to make it 1-1 and in the 49th minute in the second half to make it 2-1. With such a brilliant performance, the Catalan side fan base is beginning to reminiscence the days of Lewandowsky under Hansi Flick at Bayern Munich, and they wish for the same form again of the Polish striker. Barcelona will be ready to face and win Athletic Bilbao at home to continue their winning g record from the tail of last season. They will be looking up to Yamal as well for brilliant performance, similar to the opening day performance where the youngster had an assist to his name.

Athletic Bilbao will be keen to get to winning ways with the new season still at its opening stages after a draw to Getafe in the opening matches. Athletic Bilbao has not won a tie with Barcelona away from home. They last did in 2001. However, they will be keen to write this history, and they may be willing to use the absence of Camp Nau as the home pitch of Barcelona an advantage to get through in this tie. Bilbao will be leaning on their Copa Del Rey, which was their first in 40years as they go into this new season. They had a very decent performance last season, which saw them finish 5th in the table after 38 matches. They scored 61goals and conceded 37 goals, which saw them finish the season with 24goal difference. Bilbao opened the scoring in their match against Getafe last weekend, but the efforts from Uche levelled for Getafe. Bilbao will, therefore, be willing to do more than they were able to do if they are to get the 3points they desired I this fixture. Their defenders will have to be alert to the prowess of Yamal, who can score or assist, considering the option before him. However, Bilbao has what it takes to cause Barcelona some pain if not well checked and one of the players Barcelona wanted to sign in the summer Nico Williams can cause this Barcelona team harm if not well checked.

Barcelona will be all out in this fixture aiming to grab a win as they try to set the tune for the season and for the new era under Hansi Flick, their new manager. Bilbao, on the other hand, will be keen to continue from where they have stopped last season and continue those good performances into the new season. With both and interesting opponent, they will both be all out to make an impression; Barcelona will want to continue their dominance and unbeaten run in the home tie against Bilbao while the visitors will like to put an end to their winless visit to the Catalan side.

Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao have met themselves 75times. 48times Barcelona have won in this tie, and 10times Athletic Bilbao won, and 17 of the matches between them have ended all squared. In all, 218 goals have been scored in this tie by both teams; Barcelona scored 158 goals while Bilbao scored 60 goals. Statistically, Bilbao is no match for Barcelona, but the improvement that has been seen around this club shows that change in the way this tie has gone over the season is possible.

Barcelona will not have to relax as they want to keep the flag flying thus, they will have to work hard enough to keep Bilbao under their spell and not let them leave.

With both teams aspiring for greatness; one for continued dominance, the other for a rise to glory, it becomes a match between teams with conflicting wants and desires, do not miss this fight between these battling soldiers!!!

Best tip: Barcelona to score

Correct Score: Barcelona 2 vs Bilbao 1