La Liga champions Barcelona are back at Camp Nou for the first time this season. The Catalan giants are seeking to win three successive league titles for the first time since Pep Guardiola was in charge in 2011, so will they make it two wins out of two to start the new campaign?
Barcelona vs Athletic Club match info
- Date: Thursday 27 August 2026.
- Kick off times: 9pm (local) and 2pm (ET)
- Competition: La Liga matchday 2
- Venue: Camp Nou - Catalonia, Spain
- How to watch: ESPN+ (USA), Movistar+ & DAZN (Spain) and Premier Sports (UK).
How can I watch Barcelona vs Athletic Club?
Countries | Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|
United States | ESPN+ |
Spain | Movistar+ & DAZN |
United Kingdom & Ireland | Premier Sports 1 |
Canada | TSN Premium |
Australia, New Zealand & Arab World | beIN SPORTS |
Africa | SuperSport MáXimo |
Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Portugal & Switzerland | DAZN |
Netherlands | Ziggo Sport |
Barcelona vs Athletic Club match preview
After a resounding victory to start their La Liga title defence on Sunday night, will Barcelona once again look imperious? At the weekend, the champions demolished Elche 5-0 at Estadio Martínez Valero. Raphinha broke the deadlock from the penalty spot, on target again later on, while Karim Adeyemi marked his debut with a goal and Fermín López was also at the double.
Since the arrival of Hansi Flick, Barça have won five of the six domestic trophies on offer, including both La Liga titles. They secured last year's crown by swatting aside Real Madrid at Camp Nou; it does not get much better than that. With José Mourinho back in charge, much better is expected of los Blancos, so Barcelona will not want to drop points in their home opener on Thursday night.
As for Athletic Club, they are one of Barcelona's historic rivals, but are not at the peak of their powers right now. To start their season on Saturday, the Lions were beaten 3-1 by Sevilla at San Mamés. Yuri Berchiche's 11th minute red card for a last man foul on Miguel Sierra certainly did not help their cause, and epitomised an afternoon of chaotic defending.
Following last season's 12th place finish, former Barça boss Ernesto Valverde stepped down as Athletic head coach, having taken charge of 504 matches in Bilbao across three spells. The Basque club then made a left-field appointment, going for former Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzić. Well, the German did not enjoy a dream first outing, and things are unlikely to get any easier here. Thus, based on what produced at the weekend, Barcelona should rack up the goals.
Barcelona team news
With Frenkie de Jong sidelined long-term, Marc Bernal, Gavi and Fermín López, scorer of two goals, was the starting midfield trio in Elche. However, this time, it is expected that Rodri will make his eagerly anticipated Barcelona debut, albeit this may come from the bench. Gavi meantime suffered a bruised knee on Sunday, so will miss this one, but the issue is not as serious as first feared.
Following the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, Barça do not have a recognised centre-forward. Raphinha was deployed centrally on Sunday, with new signing Karim Adeyemi on the left, while Anthony Gordon came off the bench, hoping for his full debut at Camp Nou.
João Cancelo, Jules Koundé and Pau Cubarsí are set to return in defence, having been rested for the season opener, while Lamine Yamal will be looking to add to his four career goals against Athletic. The teenager has only been on target against Villarreal with greater frequency thus far.
Athletic Club team news
Edin Terzić first Athletic lineup featured World Cup winning goalkeeper Unai Simón, while Aymeric Laporte and Nico Williams, who also got their hands on the trophy in July, are forecast to return to the XI. Yuri Berchiche's red card against Sevilla means he is suspended, so Adama Boiro is expected to deputise at left-back.
Predicted Line-ups
- Barcelona predicted lineup: J García; Koundé, Christensen, Cubarsí, Cancelo; Bernal, Pedri, Fermín; Lamine Yamal, Gordon, Raphinha.
- Athletic Club predicted lineup: Simón; Álvarez, Paredes, Laporte, Boiro; Gerenabarrena,
Ruiz de Galarreta, Sancet; I Williams, N Williams, Guruzeta.
- Score prediction: Barcelona 3-1 Athletic Club.
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