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Athletic Membership and Barcelona meet within the Supercopa de Espana semifinals on Wednesday at King Abdullah Sports activities Metropolis in Jeddah. The Basque outfit are current in Saudi Arabia as reigning champions of the Copa del Rey whereas the Catalans got here second in La Liga and subsequently additionally certified for this closing 4 matchup.

Ernesto Valverde’s males are concerned within the four-team format for the third time and received final season’s Copa del Rey in opposition to RCD Mallorca. Los Leones wanted penalties to triumph and elevate the trophy for the primary time in 40 years. Success right here might imply a fourth Supercopa success and their second as a four-club competitors provided that in addition they received it in 2021. Athletic edged Barca in additional time final 12 months however haven’t overwhelmed the Balugrana in regular time since early 2020.

Barcelona edged Barbastro within the Copa del Rey whereas Athletic noticed off Logrones with Robert Lewandowski’s brace in addition to Eric Garcia and Pablo Torre objectives aiding Hansi Flick’s aspect. The Catalans are again in La Liga motion in opposition to Getafe later this month and will decide up their fifteenth Spanish Tremendous Cup title right here which might be their second within the four-team period. Barca have superior of their final two semifinals, beating Actual Betis on penalties in 2023 earlier than a 2-0 win over Osasuna in 2024.

Listed here are our storylines, how one can watch the match and extra:

Methods to watch and odds

  • Date: Wednesday, Jan. 8 | Time: 2 p.m. ET
  • Location: King Abdullah Sports activities Metropolis — Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
  • Watch: ESPN Deportes | Stream: Fubo (strive free of charge)
  • Odds: Athletic +290; Draw +270; Barca -118

This season to this point

Valverde’s aspect are unbeaten in 15 video games throughout all competitions which incorporates six wins and 4 attracts from 10 La Liga video games to take a seat fourth simply two factors adrift of Barca in third. Titleholders Athletic had been run shut within the Copa del Rey however superior on penalties previous Logrones whereas Barca additionally superior within the cup. Flick’s males received simply certainly one of seven LaLiga video games on the finish of 2024 which has seen them slide to 3rd within the standings behind Atletico Madrid and 5 behind Actual.

Crew information

Athletic: Yeray Alvarez, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta and Oihan Sancet are all doubts whereas Valverde ought to make adjustments together with Unai Simon, Andoni Gorosabel, Dani Vivian and Yuri Berchiche all beginning. Benat Prados and Mikel Jauregizar might additionally begin, whereas Nico and Inaki Williams ought to man Athletic’s flanks.

Doable Athletic XI: Simon; De Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche; Jauregizar, Prados; I. Williams, Berenguer, N. Williams; Guruzeta.

Barca: Dani Olmo and Pau Victor have travelled regardless of registration points whereas Hector Fort and Andreas Christensen ought to make the bench after their recoveries. Ferran Torres is a doubt however  Lamine Yamal ought to return for Flick with Inaki Pena, Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde, Gavi and Raphinha additionally in competition.

Doable Barca XI: Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Raphinha, Gavi, Fermin; Lewandowski.

Prediction

Anticipate this one to be tight and to probably transcend 90 minutes however finally Barcelona ought to have sufficient to edge Athletic for a spot within the closing. Choose: Athletic 1, Barca 2.

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