Spanish Super Cup: Saudi Summit is No Mid-Season Jaunt

Athletic Bilbao vs Barcelona

It’s off to Saudi Arabia we go for what this SBOTOP observer anticipates will be a few days of Spanish Super Cup 2025 highlights.

Yes, the Spanish Super Cup (Supercopa de España) is upon us once again, the annual competition played between the winners and runners-up of the Copa del Rey and La Liga.

The four-team tournament starts on January 8 with these two sets to lock horns at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.

 

Talking Points

Before the trip to Saudi, both clubs were in Spanish Cup action on Saturday night.

Holders Bilbao were given a scare by third-tier Logrones before emerging victorious in a penalty shoot-out following a goalless draw to reach the last 16.

Barcelona had no such issues with Robert Lewandowski netting twice as they comfortably dispatched minnows Barbastro. It was also a special night for youngster Toni Fernandez (aged 16 and 173 days) who was introduced nine minutes from time and, as a result, became the second youngest player to play for the Barcelona first team.

Lamine Yamal is the only one who was younger to have played for the Blaugrana, when he did so aged 15 against Real Betis in April 2023.

The emergence of Yamal, following his Euro 2024 exploits, has many locals dreaming again and he is expected to return for the Spanish Super Cup, although Brazilian Raphinha has been given more time to recover from injury.

Athletic’s top scorer, Oihan Sancet will also be absent through injury.

Certainly, the Cup win was a boost for Barca on the back of four successive La Liga defeats before the winter break. A poor run of form and a string of victories for the clubs from the capital have seen both Atletico Madrid and reigning champions Real Madrid leapfrog them as table-toppers.

It may be being held halfway around the world but Bilbao and Barca’s meeting has a real tradition.

The two clubs are among the oldest in the country and have participated in every season of La Liga. Owing to this, as well as contesting nine finals of the Copa del Rey, in which they are the two most successful clubs, this is also the third most-played football fixture in Spanish football history.

As the most successful clubs in their native regions (the Basque Country for Athletic and Catalonia for Barcelona), they are seen by many of their supporters as the sporting embodiment of the native population.

Expect that pride and passion to be reflected in their fan base over the next week. This is no mid-season jaunt to Saudi, both sides will be determined to come home with the silverware.

 

History

In total, 242 matches have been contested between the clubs with 122 Barca successes, 80 Bilbao wins and 40 draws.

Last season, the spoils were shared.

Barca won the league meeting at the Nou Camp thanks to a solitary goal from Marc Guiu 10 minutes from time, while the return league fixture ended goalless.

However, the most entertaining game of all was a thrilling Copa del Rey quarter-final in which Bilbao triumphed 4-2 after extra-time.

Gorka Guruzeta gave the hosts a first-minute lead but Barca were ahead before the break when Lewandowski equalised and Yamal made it 2-1. Sancet levelled before Inaki Williams and his brother Nico sealed victory.

Inaki Williams had only returned to Spain from the Africa Cup of Nations on the morning of the match.

It was a telling moment in the season as Bilbao went onto memorably clinch the cup in April to end their 40-year trophy drought.

Bilbao have won three of the last 12 meetings with Barca, all in the Spanish Cup.

The last time they defeated them in the league was August 2019 when Aritz Aduriz netted the only goal of the contest with a minute remaining.

The date of the first meeting between the two clubs is a matter of debate. The final of the 1902 Copa de la Coronación was played between Barcelona and Club Biscaya (a combined team of Athletic Club and Bilbao FC, which merged the following year); Biscaya won the match 2–1.

Athletic regard themselves as the successor to the Biscaya team and the Copa Coronación as the first edition of the Copa del Rey, including it with later wins in their official honours.

However, the Spanish Federation gives 1903 as the commencement date for the Copa del Rey.

 

Betting Tip  

Our Spanish Super Cup 2025 betting odds may make Barca big favourites but, based on current form, and considering there’s only two points separating the sides in La Liga, I actually think this will be closer than the odds suggest.

On saying all of that, I’m still plumping for a Barca win. The Catalans are priced 1X2 @ 1.83 and Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.13.

If you think Bilbao will be the boys to triumph in Saudi, then take a look at 1X2 @ 3.71 and Asian Handicap +0.50 @ 2.07. I was tempted by the 1X2 Draw @ 3.51 over 90 minutes, as well as total goal 2-3 @ 2.02 and 4-6 @ 2.94.

A re-run of their meeting from earlier in the season us in offer @ 7.70 with Correct Score 2-1.

   

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