BETDAQ’s Greg Walker is back with an in-depth preview of Sunday’s La Liga clash (8pm SKY) between Athletic Bilbao v FC Barcelona.
Greg is now 39.48 points in front with 25 WINNING BETS FROM 49 !!
Greg is BETDAQ’s spokesperson and has plenty to say on the subject of football. Each week he brings his recommended BETDAQ bets across a range of matches but with focus on his area of expertise – European and International football.
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He now previews Athletic Bilbao v FC Barcelona…..
Staying up….
Since it’s creation way back in 1929 only three clubs have never been relegated from the Primera Division of Spain’s La Liga, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and last but not least Athletic Bilbao. This Sunday will see two of these clubs meet for the very first time this season. The venue is the San Mames Barria stadium deep in Basque country where hosts Athletic Bilbao take on Liga leaders FC Barcelona. It is rare that there is ever a good time to play the Catalan giants but as Ajax Amsterdam proved last Wednesday that now is as good a time as any.
Basque Blues….
Over the years Athletic Bilboa have achieved quiet a lot considering their it’s strict cantera policy of bringing young Basque born players through the ranks, as well as recruiting Basque players from other clubs. In recent years they have relaxed this policy just a little by allowing the ‘parentage’ rule. As mentioned ‘Los Leones’ have never been relegated, won La Liga eight times and multiple Copa del Rey winners. The season 1997-98 was Bilboa’s last major trophy however they did reach the 2012 Europa League Final (Knocking out Manchester United along the way) only to be well beaten in the final by a Falcao inspired Atletico Madrid. In the same year they were also undone in the Copa Del Rey final by a rampant FC Barcelona. One would have expected Bilboa to go on to greater things on the back of such a strong season but unfortunately their success in reaching two major cup finals brought them unwanted attention. The two star players of the team ended up being transferred against the wishes of the Bilboa hierarchy. Club Athletic is one of the few clubs in Spain in a very healthy financial state so much so that they were able to force the mighty Bayern Munich to cough up the €40 million buy out clause for one Javi Martinez and fought bitterly to keep striker Fernando Llorente from the claws of various clubs. Eventually Llorente secured a ‘Bosman, and ‘El Rey Leon’ exited to Juventus.
To add to this Bilboa were also in the process of moving to a new stadium and as with all building work this granted everyone associated with the club a fair degree of stress!
On the up….
As expected all this aggravation only had negative vibes for the club in 2012-13 however finishing twelfth after losing their two star players was not a bad return. This season has seen them in different form however and ‘Los Leones’ have quickly settled into their new, albeit partially complete, home. Played seven, won five, drew two. A new stadium is not the only thing the squad have had to get used to as a new manager also stepped in to the picture. Former player and manager Ernesto Valverde and he has certainly had an excellent beginning. The squad also saw some new signings particularly with experienced striker Aritz Adiriz from Valencia however his limelight has been stolen so far this season by midfielder Mikel Rico formerly of Granada. Also ‘Los Leones’ have thankfully held on to the services of wonder kid Iker ‘the Spanish Messi’ Muniain. This young player has a big future and usually steps up to the plate in the big games so expect a good showing this Sunday. As highlighted the home form has been almost 100% however on the road has seen a different story having lost four and winning just three. On the upside two of those three away victories came in their last three away games with that one defeat a two nil loss away to the simply unstoppable Atletico Madrid.
Barca Blues….!
Ajax Amsterdam kids team did last Wednesday what no team has done for quite a while and beat FC Barcelona. What makes this victory even more impressive was that were playing with ten men for over forty three minutes with just a one goal lead. How the mighty have fallen, in days of season’s past FC Barcelona would have turned this deficit into a crushing four or five two victory. The ‘Blaugrana’ were without Messi, goalkeeper Victor Valdez and a few others but still had Neymar, Fabregas,Pique, Xavi, Iniesta and Pedro in that team. Replacement keeper that night was thirty seven year old Jose Pinto who tried to perform the ‘Johan Cruyff turn’ inside his own box and luckily for him just avoided an embarrassing outcome. If Pinto gets the nod again for this game my confidence in an Athletic victory will have increased.
Bilboa Believes….!
Barcelona deservedly are top of La Liga and cruised through their Champion’s League group. They have not turned into a poor team on the back of one meaningless defeat but the cracks have been appearing in recent weeks. Even with Messi in the side this season they have not been as free flowing as past seasons. New manager Tata Martino is not having life quiet as smooth as he would have expected despite their consistent positive results.
A Trip to an ever growing in confidence Athletic Bilboa is going to be tough assignment and it is my belief that FCB may just be starting to lack self belief at the very same time their Sunday night opponents are growing in it. Bilboa play a very direct style, getting the ball high in to the opponents box and producing goal scoring chances from dead ball situations which will not suit replacement keeper Pinto by a long shot. Talking of long shots, I do fancy Athletic can take the might Barca and their first major scalp in their new home…BUT due to Athletic’s lack of an out and out inform striker and the speedy Neymar on the other side, we will thread with caution!…..
Betting on BETDAQ – Greg’s Tips:
BACK Athletic Bilboa DRAW NO BET—- 2 ‘PINTOS’ @ 4.2
LAY FC BARCELONA TO WIN—- 1.5 ‘PINTOS’ @ 1.7
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