Spanish La Liga
2013-04-27 - Athletic Bilbao vs FC Barcelona
A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser
Football : Spanish La Liga
Venue: San Mames
Saturday 27th April 2013 – Kickoff time 18:00
Match Preview :
Barcelona travels to the San Mames knowing that if they can win here and Real Madrid were to slip up in their madrid derby match with Atletico Mafdrid, then they can win the La Liga title.
However, first of all Barca must mentally get over the 4-0 devastating defeat against Bayern Munich, and I must also add here that I hope Victor Valdes will be wearing his jersey with the sponsor's name on it, as he did attributed the heavy defeat to [surprisingly] his jersey not having the sponsor's name as one of the reason for their heavy defeat.
These two sides have managed some close battle over the years with last season’s 2-2 draw on a waterlogged pitch, and of course who can forget Barcelona’s last two Copa del Rey final wins?
Other then their Champions League slip up, Barcelona have been in good form in the La Liga. Talismanic striker Lionel Messi is likely to be fielded as he needs games to return to full fitness but Jordi Alba is expected to play a part given that he is due to sit out the return leg against Bayern through suspension.
Nevertheless, Barcelona have been in scintillating form in the past few weeks – scored nine and conceded zero. It waits to be seen if Tito Vilanova decides to rest his key players ahead of the return clash with Bayern Munich at the Camp Nou?
Meanwhile, Athletico Bilbao enters this match without the services of promising youngster Aymeric Laporte after he picked up a knee injury that ruled him out for the rest of the season. They have failed to win their last three matches coming into this game with a draw and two defeats.
Bilbao will be at full strength, other then Ander Iturraspe who misses out through suspension.
The last time they met was back in December when Barcelona won 5-1 with goals from from Lionel Messi (2), Gerard Pique, Adriano Correia and Cesc Fabregas.
Possible lineups
Athletic Bilbao: Iraizoz; Iraola, San Jose, Ekiza, Aurtenetxe; Gurpegi, De Marcos, Ander; Susaeta, Muniain, Llorente
Barcelona: Valdes; Alves, Abidal, Bartra, Adriano; Song, Thiago, Fabregas; Pedro, Villa, Tello
Prediction:
Go for Barcelona to win this match and give the 3/4 ball.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Athletic Bilbao 1-2 Barcelona
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take FC Barcelona to win and give the 3/4 ball.
