La Liga: It Has to Be Wins for Barca

Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao

Barcelona aim to get back on the victory trail on Tuesday when Athletic Bilbao are the visitors to the Camp Nou.

Quique Setien’s side sits at the top of La Liga but only three points clear of Real Madrid before Los Blancos visit Real Sociedad on Sunday night. Zinedine Zidane’s challengers have the upper hand if the two teams are level on points thanks to their head-to-head advantage over the reigning champions.

The latest La Liga 2020 betting odds have Barca and Real neck and neck, so the Blaugrana can not afford any more slip-ups, starting with the visit of Athletic Club on Tuesday.

Bilbao head coach Gaitzka Garitano will have his side primed to test the league leaders as they are in decent form, going unbeaten in three games since the resumption.

Talking Points

Can Barca up the first–half tempo?

La Liga: Ansu Fati was rested in Barcelona's 0-0 draw vs Leganes — Ansu Fati celebrates with Barcelona teammates after scoring vs Leganes

After returning to action with two comfortable victories, Barca had a frustrating night away to Sevilla and had to settle for a 0-0 draw. Even in their wins over strugglers Leganes and Real Mallorca, the Blaugrana were rather slow out of the blocks, and again in Seville the frenetic action all took place in the second half.

This is a problem Setien must solve, and he certainly has the attacking tools to take any side apart. Talisman Lionel Messi is searching for his 700^th career goal for club and country; he came close in Seville and won’t want to wait any longer.

Young striker Ansu Fati is already an SBOBET La Liga star with five goals in his first season in the senior squad at the Camp Nou. The 17-year-old was outstanding in scoring the opener in Barca’s 2-0 win over Leganes, and I reckon he’ll be making more La Liga 2020 news headlines before the season is out.

Meanwhile, Luis Suarez’ comeback looks to be gathering pace and if he can find his best form, then Barca will thrive.

There could be a return for two other players against Bilbao. Wing-back Sergi Roberto has been nursing a rib injury while midfield star Frenkie de Jong also missed the Sevilla game with a calf strain, but both are in the frame for a return.

Life after Aduriz for Athletic Club

Bilbao legend Aritz Aduriz announced his retirement in May, calling time on an eight-year run at the club, scoring 96 goals in 231 appearances.

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Serie A

Those are big shooting boots to fill. Midfield man Raul Garcia has taken up the challenge, already bagging 10 for the season while both Iker Munian and Inaki Williams have an eye for goal.

Centre-back Inigo Martinez was on the end of a free-kick to score the only goal in Athletic Club’s victory over Real Betis on Saturday. That win took the Bilbao side up to ninth in the league table.

The visitors won’t just sit back at the Camp Nou, but they will find tough resistance from Barca defensive rock Gerard Pique, who won’t mess about…he’s already picked up 12 yellow cards this season!

History

The Blaugrana have enjoyed a lot of success against Athletic Bilbao in the head-to-heads since 1993. In their 67 meetings, Barca have won 42, drawn 14 and lost only 11.

But they have found Bilbao tough opposition recently, and the underdogs are unbeaten in the previous four meetings, winning the last two by a 1-0 margin, including a stunning win on the opening day of the 2019/20 season.

Veteran striker Aduriz scored a spectacular scissor kick in the 89^th minute after the champions had fluffed their lines in the curtain raiser.

Messi was out injured while Antoine Griezmann made his debut, and Suarez and Rafinha both hit the woodwork. A repeat of that outcome could spell disaster for Setien’s men.

Betting Tip

	Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao	Barcelona Asian Handicap -1.25 @ 1.85
	June 23, 04:00 (GMT+8)

The goalless draw in Seville ended a run of three consecutive wins for Barca and that might just be the wake-up call the Catalans needed.

They have taken time to settle into all three of their games since the return of football, and their sluggishness cost them dearly against high flying Sevilla.

The hosts are at odds of 1.37 to win on Tuesday with the draw at 4.56, and I think they will have too much for Bilbao. Barca’s home record reads 14 wins and one draw, and I fully expect it to be 15 and one by Wednesday morning.

For a long shot on a scoreline bet, 2-0 to Barca at odds of 6.95 is the most likely.

The visitors are at odds of 7.14 to make it three wins against Barcelona, but with an away record of two wins, eight draws and five defeats, a point would be a superb outcome for the visitors and another headache for Setien.