Barcelona Clash with Athletic Club in Spanish Super Cup Showdown: Key Battles, Bold Predictions and Starting XI Revealed
The quest for the season's inaugural trophy in Spanish football commences Wednesday evening in Saudi Arabia, where Barcelona meets Athletic Club in the Super Cup semifinal as they look to retain their title.
Currently, few clubs worldwide are performing at Barcelona's exceptional level. Hansi Flick's squad overcame a determined Espanyol in the season's opening Catalan derby last match, securing their tenth consecutive triumph over domestic opponents.
In contrast, Ernesto Valverde's Athletic Club struggles to discover their rhythm following an outstanding 2024–25 campaign that earned them Champions League qualification. The Basque outfit sits eighth, trailing Barcelona by 25 points in La Liga, yet they're hoping an impressive display in Saudi Arabia can revitalize their campaign at the midway mark.
While Athletic possesses game-changing players, Barcelona remains the clear frontrunner to reach Sunday's championship match. The Catalans have dominated Spanish football throughout Flick's second campaign, with expectations to maintain that excellence for another consecutive year.
Here is Sports Illustrated's preview of Barcelona vs. Athletic Club in the Spanish Super Cup semifinal.
What Time Does Barcelona vs. Athletic Club Kick-Off?
Barcelona vs. Athletic Club Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Barcelona | Athletic Club |
|---|---|
Espanyol 0–2 Barcelona - 03/01/26 | Osasuna 1–1 Athletic Club - 03/01/26 |
Villarreal 0–2 Barcelona - 21/12/25 | Athletic Club 1–2 Espanyol - 22/12/25 |
Guadalajara 0–2 Barcelona - 16/12/25 | Ourense 0–1 Athletic Club - 18/12/25 |
Barcelona 2–0 Osasuna - 13/12/25 | Celta Vigo 2–0 Athletic Club - 14/|12/25 |
Barcelona 2–1 Eintracht Frankfurt - 09/12/25 | Athletic Club 0–0 PSG - 10/12/25 |
How to Watch Barcelona vs. Athletic Club on TV
Country | TV/Live Stream |
|---|---|
United States | ESPN 2, ESPN App, ESPN Deportes, fuboTV |
United Kingdom | TNT Sports 1, discovery+, discovery+ App |
Canada | Not Televised |
Mexico | Sky Sports, Sky+ |
Barcelona Team News
Barcelona travels to Saudi Arabia with Flick's roster at its healthiest point all season, with only Gavi and Andreas Christensen currently occupying Barcelona's previously overcrowded medical facility.
Flick's favored defensive quartet that he's consistently deployed over recent months will stay intact, as the Catalans have secured four straight shutouts following a terrible defensive beginning to the campaign.
Indeed, it wouldn't be shocking if minimal adjustments are made to the starting eleven that featured in the weekend's Catalan derby. Pedri might earn his first start since Dec. 13, partnering Eric García in the central midfield and sending Frenkie de Jong to the substitutes' bench.
In attack, Fermín López appears set to replace Marcus Rashford, enabling Raphinha to move to the left flank. Robert Lewandowski has troubled Athletic Club in previous encounters and after finding the net against Espanyol, he might secure his first start after four consecutive matches as a substitute.
Barcelona Predicted Lineup vs. Athletic Club
Barcelona Predicted Lineup vs. Athletic Club (4-2-3-1): García; Koundé, Cubarsí, Martín, Balde; García, Pedri; Yamal, Fermín, Raphinha; Lewandowski.
Athletic Club Team News
Unlike Barcelona, Athletic Club faces several missing players. Beñat Prados, Maroan Sannadi and Unai Egiluz were already absent for November's encounter with Barça, but the unavailability of newly injured Aymeric Laporte and Yuri Berchiche plus suspended Yeray Álvarez further weakens the squad.
However, Iñaki Williams is expected to play for Athletic Club after being absent from the latest Barcelona meeting, starting on the right wing while younger sibling Nico looks to cause problems down the opposite side against the club that eagerly pursued his signature in previous years.
Dani Vivian endured a forgettable evening against Barcelona just two months prior and will be keen to make amends while leading the defense. The same applies to attacking midfielder Oihan Sancet, who received a red card at the Camp Nou for a reckless tackle, forcing Athletic to play short-handed for over 30 minutes.
With recent calls for Joan García to become Spain's goalkeeper before the 2026 World Cup, Unai Simón will be determined to demonstrate why he remains Luis de la Fuente's preferred choice between the posts for La Roja.
Athletic Club Predicted Lineup vs. Barcelona
Athletic Club predicted lineup vs. Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Simón; Areso, Vivian, Paredes, Boiro; De Galarreta, Jauregizar; Williams, Sancet, Williams; Guruzeta.
Barcelona vs. Athletic Club Score Prediction
The significant quality difference between both teams plus their recent performances indicates Barcelona should successfully advance to the final.
Athletic possesses threats that could trouble Barcelona's defense, but even with an improvised midfield, Flick's team managed to control Valverde's side in November, commanding the match from the opening whistle.
Barcelona's ruthless efficiency under Flick is well-established by now, and with several options available from the bench, it's nearly impossible to imagine Athletic's depleted defensive structure containing the attacking barrage.
The Blaugrana will eliminate Athletic Club in the semifinal for the second consecutive year to move within 90 minutes of their season's first trophy.