Following a terrific opening weekend, star-studded Barcelona (1 win, 0 losses, 0 draws) travels to take on Athletic Bilbao (0-0-1) Saturday. The match is set to kick off at 4 p.m. ET at San Mamés in Bilbao, Spain. Below, we preview the Barcelona at Athletic Bilbao odds and lines, and make our best La Liga bets, picks and predictions.
If you looked at the table, you’d never know Barcelona just lost arguably the greatest player in this generation with F Lionel Messi’s departure to PSG.
Barca is not in any way shorthanded in attacking, as 27-year-old F Memphis Depay has taken over as the 9 for the renowned club. Barcelona defeated Real Sociedad 4-2 in its season opener.
It’ll be taking on an Athletic side that drew its opener with Elche. Despite Bilbao’s 9 shots and 8 corners, it wasn’t able to get on the board as it ended in a 0-0 draw.
Barcelona at Athletic Bilbao: Odds, picks and predictions
Odds via Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:25 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Barcelona -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Athletic Bilbao +300 (bet $100 to win $300) | Draw +280
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -140 | U: +115)
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Prediction
Barcelona 3, Athletic Bilbao 1
Money line (ML)
BET on BARCELONA (-115) despite its continued adjustment to life without Messi.
The attack led by Depay and French F Antoine Griezmann is still elite. The backline with D Gerard Piqué is among the best in the league and its defense with veteran M Sergio Busquets is strong as well.
There isn’t much weakness on the Barcelona roster, and playing a club that finished 10th in the table last season, I’d put my money on Barcelona finding a way to come out on top.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET on the OVER 2.5 (-140) as the best bet on the total.
Barca and its opponent combined for 6 goals last week. Despite Bilbao’s struggles to get on the board, I’d expect more pace in this match which should result in each team netting at least 1 goal.
Bilbao averaged over a goal per game last season, so its offense should eventually come to life. M Alex Berenguer, the 2020-21 scoring leader, is still with the club and should help the offense start to produce.
Even if Bilbao doesn’t get on the board, three for Barca alone shouldn’t be too much of a stretch.
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