Athletic Club vs FC Barcelona, Prediction, Odds and Betting Tips 03/03/2024
Calendar icon Updated 05 Apr 09:02

Athletic Club vs FC Barcelona, Prediction, Odds and Betting Tips 03/03/2024

Kai Edvard Iliev Kai Edvard Iliev

Odds via Tonybet

Athletic Club vs FC BarcelonaMarch 3, 2024, 3:00 PM ET
Athletic Club odds+190
FC Barcelona  odds+143
Draw+254
Over\Under2.5 -134\+114

Athletic Club vs FC Barcelona. Shape of the Teams

A few years ago, it would have been obvious that Athletic Club could not be favourites – but with their current status as number five in La Liga, they are. 

In 2023, only Real Betis and Valencia were able to defeat the mighty Basques, a good indicator of the strength and resillience of Athletic. 

The other teams in Spain have suffered in recent months against Ernesto Valverde’s Golden Generation. Athletic’s success is rooted in a deeply traditional and unique methodology that prioritizes homegrown talent and recruits exclusively from the Basque region. 



For long, they were told that this approach does not work, and many will remember the Marcelino times. During these times, Athletic Club was somewhat of a pain to play against but had several obvious flaws. 

Since Ernesto Valverde returned to Athletic after a while off the pitch following his Barcelona stint, he has transformed the Basques from a challenging opponent to a powerhouse in Spanish soccer that few can win against. 

Under Valverde’s guidance, Athletic just made its way to the final of the Copa Del Rey after disposing of Atlético de Madrid (3-0 in San Mamés, 0-1 in Madrid). 

Despite benefiting from their opponent’s injuries, there is no doubt that Athletic Club dominated the tie from the first minute with their relentless pressing game, something they have displayed throughout the season. 

And that’s what probably makes them so difficult to play against, any team simply suffocates against Athletic Club.

Barcelona experienced the might of the Basque club firsthand, as they were eliminated in the Copa Del Rey by Athletic Club themselves in January (4-2). It was another tie in which Barcelona felt helpless against an enemy with a unique and challenging playstyle.

Athletic Club vs FC Barcelona Match Info

Athletic Club vs FC Barcelona Prediction, Odds

Athletic Club, as the name suggests, are very athletic. Combine that with relentless pressing, and you’ll get the answer as to why most Spanish teams struggle to deal with Ernesto Valverde’s approach. 

He’s found a way to overcome the lack of worthy strikers – a problem also faced by their neighbours, Real Sociedad – by bringing Guruzeta into the fold. Since the departure of Aduriz, the team struggled to find a prolific striker, with Iñaki Williams stepping into the role without much success.

Guruzeta’s emergence has revitalized the attacking dynamics, allowing the Williams brothers to exploit the wings with their remarkable speed, turning Athletic into a formidable force. 

The development of individual players, such as Vivian, Oihan Sancet, and De Marcos, makes it obvious that Valverde is an excellent manager: almost every player in his squad has improved since his arrival. This is especially true for Nico Williams – the hottest new youngster for La Liga – who has even gathered interest from abroad.

Athletic Club is one of Europe’s most successful counter-attacking teams. Their mid-block with their high-pressure style makes them one of the best defensive sides. But how they storm the box with all their men also makes them one of the best offensive sides in Spain, if not Europe. 

Vivian has become an iconic figure of the club, becoming the typical defender that keeps every ball out and, paired with Paredes, arguably forms the best centre-back partnership in Spain.

With the formidable Williams brothers, they also have one of the best wings in La Liga. And that’s why very few teams know what to do against Athletic Club. It feels like the threats are coming from everywhere, with the Williams brothers both scoring against Atlético de Madrid last Thursday.

Athletic Club vs FC Barcelona Betting Tip

Nobody knows the Spanish soccer landscape better than former Barcelona manager Don Ernesto Valverde. His capacity for detailed opponent analysis and system adaptability, while a double-edged sword at Barcelona, remains a formidable asset at Athletic Club. 

With his decade-long experience, no team is a secret for Ernesto Valverde, and that’s a true problem with such a dynamic squad.

Nobody knows how long this Golden Generation of Athletic Club will continue tormenting the Spanish lands, but the end is not yet in sight. 

The Williams brothers, Iñaki and Nico, look completely unstoppable and have remarkable stories on and off the pitch. Their parents came all the way from Ghana, sacrificing themselves to allow their children to live a good life in Bilbao. 

This team is one of the most concentrated – and they will play against Barcelona, who represent exactly the opposite. 

The Catalans often struggle with organized counter-attacks and defensive occupation. Athletic’s ability to flood the penalty box with attackers, creating overwhelming pressure waves, is unmatched. This makes them especially dangerous in such encounters.

Oh, and before we forget – the tie is at San Mamés. Anyone who has had the opportunity to visit the stadium will remember the unique atmosphere. 

Spain has a locality factor, where local culture is stronger than anything. At San Mamés, anyone will feel the sense of the unique Basque cultural identity – and the club is one of its major tools. 

The sense of community and cultural pride, expressed through the Euskera language and the passionate support of the ultras, transforms the stadium into a fortress on match days. This was demonstrated against Atlético de Madrid on Thursday, where the stadium’s atmosphere played a crucial role in Athletic Club’s performance.

Disclaimer: Odds are accurate at the time of posting and subject to change. Please verify the latest odds on our platform before betting.

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