Athletic Club and Barcelona meet in the Supercopa de España semi-finals at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Wednesday. The Basque side go into Saudi Arabia as Copa del Rey winners, while the Catalans finished second in La Liga and qualified for the last four.
Ernesto Valverde’s men are taking part in the four-team format for the third time and won the Copa del Rey against RCD Mallorca last season. Los Leones needed a penalty kick to win and lift the trophy for the first time in 40 years. Success here could mean their fourth success in the Supercopa and, considering they also won it in 2021, their second success as a four-club competition. Athletic edged Barca in extra-time last year but have not beaten Balugrana in regular time since early 2020.
Barcelona beat Barbastro in the Copa del Rey, while Athletic defeated Logrones with a brace from Robert Lewandowski and goals from Eric Garcia and Pablo Torre helping Hansi Flick’s side. The Catalans return to La Liga action against Getafe later this month and can win their 15th Spanish Super Cup, which would make them their second in a four-team era. Barça has played in the last two semi-finals, beating Real Betis on penalties in 2023 and beating Osasuna 2-0 in 2024.
Here’s the storyline, how to watch the game, and more.
How to watch and odds
- date: Wednesday, January 8 | hour: 2 PM ET
- location: King Abdullah Sports City – Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- see: ESPN Sports | brook: Fubo (Try it for free)
- multiplication: Movement +290; Draw +270. Barca-118
So far this season
Valverde’s side are unbeaten in 15 games in all competitions, including six wins and four draws in 10 La Liga games, and sit fourth, two points behind third-placed Barca. Titleholders Athletic had a close game in the Copa del Rey but went ahead on penalties over Logrones, while Barca also went ahead in the cup. Flick’s men have won just one of their seven La Liga games at the end of 2024, leaving them third in the standings behind Atletico Madrid and five behind Real.
team news
work out: Jeray Alvarez, Inigo Luiz de Gallareta and Oihan Sanset are all doubtful, while Valverde must initiate changes that include Unai Simon, Andoni Gorosabel, Dani Vivian and Youri Versice. Benat Prados and Mikel Jauregizar could also start, while Nico and Inaki Williams should man the Athletic side.
Possible Exercises XI: Simon; De Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, Versice; Jauregisar, Prados; I. Williams, Berenger, N. Williams; Gurujeta.
Barça: Dani Olmo and Pau Victor travel despite registration issues, while Hector Fort and Andreas Christensen are forced to sit on the bench after recovering. Ferran Torres is doubtful. However, Lamine Yamal should return to Flick along with Inaki Pena, Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde, Gavi and Raphinha.
Possible Barça XI: punishment; Kunde, Cubasi, Martinez, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Raphinha, Gabi, Fermin; Lewandowski.
prediction
This match is expected to be tight and last over 90 minutes, but ultimately Barcelona should do enough to get past Athletic and advance to the final. Select: Athletic 1, Barça 2.
