Barcelona head off to Saudi Arabia for a Spanish Super Cup semifinal clash with Athletic Club on January 8.
La Blaugrana kicked off 2025 with a Copa del Rey win at Barbastro ahead of revived La Liga’s title challenge later this month.
Hansi Flick’s team are currently trailing current pace setters Real Madrid by five points, and they could face Los Blancos in the Super Cup final if they win here and Carlo Ancelotti’s charges get past Mallorca in the other semifinal.
Barcelona lost out to their El Clasico rivals in the 2023 Super Cup final.
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Athletic Club vs. Barcelona lineups, predicted starting 11, team news
Athletic Club are without two midfield stars with Ander Herrera and Oihan Sancet as the pair remain in Bilbao to recover from injury.
Inaki and Nico Williams are expected to lead the the Basque side’s attack amid fresh rumours of Barcelona launching a summer transfer push for the latter.
Athletic Club predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Simon (GK) — De Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche — Vsga, Prados, Jauregizar — N. Williams, Guruzeta, I. Williams.
Injured: Ruiz (muscle), Sancet (muscle), Sancet (ankle).
Suspended: None
Barcelona have opted to include Dani Olmo and Pau Victor in their travelling party to Jeddah despite the duo being ineligible to play.
Their respective La Liga/RFEF registrations are incomplete with Barcelona hoping a last minute legal challenge could release them in time to play.
Andreas Christensen has been included, as he returns to full fitness, with Flick confirming Lamine Yamal is ready to start after an ankle issue.
Barcelona predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Pena (GK) — Kounde, Martinez, Garcia, Balde — Casado, De Jong, Pedri — Raphinha, Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal.
Injured: Bernal, Ter Stegen (both knee)
Suspended: None
Athletic Club vs. Barcelona live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this Spanish Super Cup match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | ESPN Deportes | ESPN+, Fubo |
| Canada | — | — |
| UK | — | — |
| Australia | — | — |
| India | — | FanCode |
