Here are some key facts about the historic encounters between Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona:

TODAY'S PREDICTION

• 
  Barcelona win or draw

• Total goals - over 1.5

• Goals second half - over 0.5

• First team to score - Barcelona

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1. Head-to-Head Record:

• Barcelona has generally dominated the head-to-head record in the La Liga meetings with Athletic Bilbao. However, Athletic has been known to pull off surprises, especially at home in the iconic San Mamés stadium.

• Historically, Barcelona has more wins than Athletic, but matches between these two are often competitive.

2. Recent Encounters:

• 2021 Copa del Rey Final: One of the most memorable recent encounters was the 2021 Copa del Rey final, where Barcelona defeated Athletic Bilbao 4-0. Lionel Messi scored twice in the final, leading Barcelona to victory.

• La Liga: In recent years, Barcelona has won most of their La Liga encounters, but Athletic has managed to secure a few crucial draws and victories at home, particularly at San Mamés.

• 2020 La Liga: A notable match was the 1-0 win for Athletic in Bilbao, where Inaki Williams scored the decisive goal.

3. Goals:

• Matches between Athletic and Barcelona often feature plenty of goals, with Barcelona’s attacking trio (such as Messi, Suarez, and Neymar in recent years) facing off against Athletic's strong defense led by players like Iñaki Williams and Raúl García.

• Despite Barcelona's offensive strength, Athletic's resilience and physical style often make for interesting and tightly contested encounters.

4. Notable Players:

• Athletic Bilbao: In recent seasons, players like Iñaki Williams, Raúl García, and Mikel Vesga have been key figures in Athletic's play.

• Barcelona: Lionel Messi was the standout player for years, although now with players like Robert Lewandowski, Pedri, and Gavi, the team has remained competitive in Spain.

5. Famous Matches:

• 2015 Copa del Rey Final: Barcelona triumphed 3-1 in the Copa del Rey final against Athletic, with goals from Messi, Neymar, and Suárez.

• Athletic’s Strong Home Performances: One of the most remarkable results came in 2013, when Athletic Bilbao defeated Barcelona 2-1 in San Mamés, showcasing their ability to rise to the occasion.

6. Tactical Play:

• Athletic Bilbao: Known for their physical, intense style of play, Athletic is traditionally built around strong team discipline, direct football, and pressing high up the pitch.

• Barcelona: Under managers like Pep Guardiola and Xavi Hernández, Barcelona's tactical approach is based on possession-based football, quick passing, and controlling the game with a high pressing strategy when not in possession.

7. Copa del Rey:

• The two sides have met several times in the Copa del Rey, where Barcelona has often been victorious, but Athletic Bilbao has had some notable runs, including reaching the final in 2021 and 2015.

8. Stadiums:

• San Mamés: Athletic's home ground, San Mamés, is known for its passionate atmosphere, which has often been a challenge for visiting teams, including Barcelona.

• Camp Nou: Barcelona's home ground has been a fortress for the team, where they have enjoyed multiple victories over Athletic.