The Premier League roars back into action this weekend following the international break, but the spotlight also shines brightly on La Liga as Barcelona prepares for an emotional return to the Spotify Camp Nou. After an absence of over two years, the Catalan giants are set to host Athletic Bilbao in a highly anticipated match.
Premier League Preview
The English Premier League resumes with a full slate of exciting fixtures. All eyes will be on Turf Moor for the lunchtime kickoff where Burnley hosts Chelsea. Chelsea will be without Cole Palmer after a freak accident at home. Other matches to look out for include Liverpool hosting Nottingham Forest, and Manchester City traveling to Newcastle. Sunday brings a North London derby as Arsenal welcomes Tottenham.
Barcelona's Homecoming
Barcelona's return to Camp Nou marks the end of their temporary residence at the Olympic Stadium in Montjuïc. The last official match played at Camp Nou was on May 28, 2023, a 3-0 victory against Mallorca. Since then, the stadium has been undergoing extensive renovations as part of the Espai Barça project.
The stadium will operate at a reduced capacity of 45,401 for the game against Athletic Bilbao. This is due to the ongoing construction work, which is expected to continue until mid-2027 when the stadium's capacity will be expanded to 105,000, making it the largest in Europe. Access will be limited to the first and second tiers, with work ongoing on the third tier and VIP areas.
The club views the return to Camp Nou as a crucial step in boosting matchday revenue and restoring their home advantage. More than 20,000 fans attended an open training session on November 7, demonstrating the excitement surrounding the return.
Manager Hansi Flick welcomes back Raphinha and Joan García for the Athletic match. Barcelona hopes to play their Champions League match against Eintracht Frankfurt on December 9 at Camp Nou.
Match Details
The La Liga match between Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao is scheduled for Saturday, November 22, with kickoff at 16:15 CET.
Other Football News
In other football news, TNT Sports will broadcast the Premier League match between Burnley and Chelsea live.
