Sports Mole looks at how Athletic Bilbao could line up in Saturday’s La Liga clash with Barcelona.
Spain international Nico Williams is set to return to the starting XI on Saturday evening, as Athletic Bilbao head to Barcelona for an intriguing fixture in La Liga.
The forward has been heavily linked with Barcelona this summer, and at one stage, it did appear that the Euro 2024 winner was on the verge of completing a switch to the Catalan giants.
However, Nico Williams has seemingly decided to stay at Athletic this summer, and he should be back in the XI for this match, having started on the bench for his side’s 1-1 draw against Getafe.
Inaki Williams is also set to be in the side, while Oihan Sancet and Gorka Guruzeta are expected to complete the attacking unit for the Lions, who finished fifth in La Liga last season.
Alvaro Djalo, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Nico Serrano, Oscar de Marcos, Julen Agirrezabala and Unai Simon are all currently on the sidelines for the Basque side.
Meanwhile, Aitor Paredes is a doubt due to the muscular issue that forced him off against Getafe, so Dani Vivian could be introduced into the back four on Saturday night.
The goalkeeping absences mean that Alex Padilla should continue between the sticks, while summer arrival Andoni Gorosabel is set to operate at right-back for Ernesto Valverde‘s side.
Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup: Padilla; Gorosabel, Yeray, Vivian, Yuri; Prados, Vesga; I Williams, Sancet, N Williams; Guruzeta
> Click here to see how Barcelona could line up for the contest
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