In the midst of a debilitating injury crisis, Barcelona return from the international break with a difficult home match against Athletic Club on Sunday.
Down a host of key players, including Robert Lewandowski, the Blaugrana are just looking to keep pace with rivals Real Madrid who adorn the top of the table. Barcelona reside third, four points adrift of the summit but with a game in hand, while their opponents Athletic are four points behind them.
Among those injured for Barcelona include Frenkie de Jong, who has reinvented himself into a critical component of the midfield this season but has been absent with an ankle injury since late September. Raphinha, Pedri, and Jules Kounde are also sidelined, leaving the hosts dangerously thin.
With Madrid drawing 1-1 at Sevilla on Saturday, Barca know they will be able to close to within a point of the leaders with a win, just a week out from the first Clasico of the season.
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What time does Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao kick off?
This La Liga match at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys kicks off on Sunday, October 22 at 9 p.m. local time in Barcelona, Spain.
Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories around the globe:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| USA/Canada | Sun, Oct. 22 | 3 p.m. ET |
| USA/Canada | Sun, Oct. 22 | 12 a.m. PT |
| UK | Sun, Oct. 22 | 8 p.m. BST |
| Australia | Mon, Oct. 23 | 6 a.m. AEDT |
| India | Mon, Oct. 23 | 12:30 a.m. IST |
| Hong Kong | Mon, Oct. 23 | 3 a.m. HKT |
| Malaysia | Mon, Oct. 23 | 3 a.m. MYT |
| Singapore | Mon, Oct. 23 | 3 a.m. SGT |
| New Zealand | Mon, Oct. 23 | 8 a.m. NZST |
Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao live stream, TV channel
MORE: Watch Premier League matches live with Fubo in USA | Watch EPL in Canada
| TV channel | Streaming | |
| USA | ESPN, ESPN Deportes | Fubo, WatchESPN, ESPN+ |
| UK | ITV4, Viaplay Sports 1, LaLigaTV | ITVX, Viaplay |
| Australia | — | Optus Sport |
| Canada | TSN2 | Fubo, TSN+ |
| India | Sports 18 | JioTV |
| New Zealand | — | — |
| Malaysia | Astro Supersport 3 | Astro Go, sooka, beIN Sports Connect |
| Singapore | — | beIN Sports Connect |
| Hong Kong | Now Sports 2 | Now Player, M Plus Live |
Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao projected lineups & team news
The injury issues for Barcelona are spiraling into a real concern for Xavi as multiple key players are missing.
Talisman striker Robert Lewandowski picked up an ankle injury earlier this month, and after missing the Granada match prior to the international break, he'll also be absent here, although it doesn't appear to be serious enough to leave him sidelined much longer.
Frenkie de Jong remains out with an ankle injury of his own, while Raphinha, Jules Kounde, and Sergi Roberto are all missing with various fitness issues. Pedri has been out since the second game of the season with a hamstring problem and will miss out on this match as well, but he is close to returning and will be back for El Clasico the following weekend.
Barcelona projected starting lineup (4-3-3): Ter Stegen (GK) — Cancelo, Araujo, Christensen, Balde — Romeu, Gundogan, Gavi — Lamine Yamal, F. Torres, Felix.
While Barcelona suffer through an extensive injury crisis, Athletic Club also have a decently long list of sidelined players. Star winger Nico Williams is the most notable absentee, having picked up four assists in six games so far this season but also struggling with muscle issues on multiple occasions.
Also missing are midfielders Mikel Vesga and Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, both of whom are regular starters for the side, plus defender Yeray Alvarez who is a key component for the club but has been in and out of the lineup due to various injuries as well.
Athletic Club projected starting lineup (4-4-2): Maximiano (GK) — Mendes, Kaiky, Brandariz, Akieme — Embarba, Lopy, Baba, Ramazani — Kone, Melero.
Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao betting odds & lines
| Barca win | Draw | Athletic win | Both teams to score Y / N | Over / Under 2.5 goals | BAR -0.5 | ATH +0.5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM (USA) | -150 | +290 | +400 | -140 / +100 | -145 / +105 | -165 | +115 |
