Barcelona vs Athletic Club: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction

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Barcelona welcome Athletic Club to Camp Nou on Sunday as they look to strengthen their top four hopes in La Liga.

Xavi’s side hit four goals for the second game in a row when they dispatched Napoli 4-2 to seal their place in the last 16 of the Europa League in midweek.

Athletic Club, meanwhile, will be feeling buoyant after their 4-0 Basque Derby triumph last time out, which moved Marcelino’s side to within two points of the European spots.

Here’s everything you need to know about the game.

When is kick off? Sunday 27 February, 20:00 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? Camp Nou
TV channel/live stream? La LigaTV/Premier Sports (UK), fuboTV (US)
Highlights? La Liga YouTube
Referee? Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez
VAR? Jose Luiz Gonzalez Gonzalez

Dani AlvesDani Alves

Dani Alves will be available for Barcelona / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages

Xavi will welcome back Dani Alves after the Brazilian served the last of his two-match ban in the 4-1 victory over Valencia last weekend.

Still, the Barcelona boss is wrestling with a spate of injury issues, with Ansu Fati, Memphis Depay, Clement Lenglet, Samuel Umtiti and Alex Balde set to miss out. Sergi Roberto is also a doubt.

Nico Williams JrNico Williams Jr

Nico Williams has been absent for Athletic Club / Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/GettyImages

Oier Zarraga is set to return from suspension for Marcelino’s side after he missed last weekend’s 4-0 win over Real Sociedad.

However, Nico Williams remains doubtful with a hamstring problem, while Ander Capa recently tested positive for Covid-19.

Xavi’s men will be keen to make amends for last month’s 3-2 defeat to Athletic Club in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey.

Iker Muniain’s extra-time penalty sunk Barcelona that evening, although the Catalan side are unbeaten in their last three meetings with their Basque neighbours.

Barca ran out 2-1 winners against Athletic Club when the two sides met at the Camp Nou last season, with both goals coming from players who have now departed the club (Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann).

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gavi PaezPierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gavi Paez

Gavi and Aubameyang celebrate / Quality Sport Images/GettyImages

Barcelona are unbeaten at home under Xavi since that disappointing defeat to Real Betis back in December.

They flexed their goalscoring muscles in midweek again by hitting a title-chasing Napoli side for four, with the forward arrivals of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Adama Traore and Ferran Torres looking devastating.

However, confidence will be oozing through Athletic’s veins after last weekend’s derby victory, so expect them to go toe-to-toe with Xavi’s side.

Prediction: Barcelona 2-2 Athletic Club