The highly anticipated Barcelona vs Athletic Club clash is set to light up the Spotify Camp Nou on November 22, 2025, as La Liga’s title race heats up. With Barcelona chasing down Real Madrid and Athletic Club aiming to climb the standings, this Matchday 13 fixture promises drama, skill, and Basque-Catalan rivalry. In this comprehensive Barcelona vs Athletic Club preview, we dive into the latest team updates, predicted lineups, and score predictions to help you gear up for kickoff. Whether you’re a die-hard Blaugrana fan or tracking Athletic Bilbao’s resurgence, read on for all the insights.
Match Details: When and Where to Watch Barcelona vs Athletic Club
Barcelona returns to their iconic home ground after 909 days away, marking an emotional milestone in the 2025-26 La Liga season. Here’s everything you need to know:
- Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
- Time: 4:15pm CET (3:15pm GMT, 10:15am ET, 7:15am PT)
- Venue: Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Competition: La Liga, Matchday 13
- Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez
- VAR: Daniel Jesús Trujillo Suárez
Barcelona Team News and Updates: Injuries, Form, and Key Players
Barcelona sits second in La Liga with 28 points, just three behind leaders Real Madrid after a commanding second-half display in their recent 3-0 win over Celta Vigo. Hansi Flick’s side is pushing hard in the title race, blending youth and experience to dominate possession and create chances.
However, the injury list remains a concern:
- Out: Marc-André ter Stegen (goalkeeper), Gavi, Pedri, and Frenkie de Jong (midfielders) – major blows to creativity and control.
Athletic Club Team News: Overcoming Injuries for a Statement Performance
Athletic Club, under Ernesto Valverde, occupies seventh place with 17 points – a respectable haul but marred by inconsistency from an injury-ravaged squad. The Lions have shown flashes of brilliance, particularly through their Williams brothers, but defensive frailties have cost them dear.
Key absences include:
- Out: Iñaki Williams (forward), Maroan Sannadi, Beñat Prados, and Unai Eguiluz (various positions).
Predicted Lineups: Barcelona vs Athletic Club Starting XI
Both managers are expected to stick with trusted formations, balancing attack and defense. Here’s our Barcelona vs Athletic Club predicted lineups based on the latest team news:
Barcelona (4-3-3)
- GK: Wojciech Szczęsny (or Inaki Peña if Szczęsny is rested)
- DEF: Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Iñigo Martínez (or Andreas Christensen), Alejandro Balde
- MID: Fermín López, Marc Casadó, Dani Olmo
- FWD: Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres
Athletic Club (4-2-3-1)
- GK: Unai Simón
- DEF: Andoni Gorosabel, Daniel Vivian, Aymeric Laporte, Yuri Berchiche
- MID: Mikel Jauregizar, Beñat de Galarreta; Álex Berenguer, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams
- FWD: Gorka Guruzeta
Score Prediction: Barcelona vs Athletic Club
In this Barcelona vs Athletic Club prediction, we foresee a competitive affair where the hosts’ quality shines through despite injury woes. The emotional Camp Nou return might cause early nerves, allowing Athletic a goal, but Lewandowski and Yamal should seal it.
Predicted Score: Barcelona 3-1 Athletic Club
