Of course, Barcelona's recent record in the Basque Country has not been great either. The Catalan club lost in Bilbao last season - three points which ultimately cost them the Spanish title - and were also sent packing at Athletic's great rivals Real Sociedad last month.

John McEnerney:, external Athletic usually give Barcelona a good run for the money at home, the Barca defence is weak and should concede at least one tonight. Score draw.

Keeping up the theme of a weekend packed with big derbies, Portugal's capital city Lisbon is awash with frenzied local rivalry. Two giants go head-to-head at the Estadio José Alvalade as Sporting host leaders Benfica, who have three-point lead over second-placed Porto. Sporting are seven points adrift in third, so the hosts are desperate for all three points.

And they've just kicked-off across the Mediterranean in Italy. Roberto Mancini's Inter Milan, who are down in 13th, host eighth-placed Palermo at the San Siro. It is goalless after the opening moments.

French Ligue 1

Lyon: Lopes, Bedimo, Jallet, Rose, Umtiti, Tolisso, Gonalons, Ferri, Gourcuff, Fekir, Njie.

Paris St-Germain: Sirigu, Marquinhos, Maxwell, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Thiago Motta, Verratti, Matuidi, Lucas, Ibrahimovic, Cavani.

French Ligue 1

Image source, AFP

Explaining his claims about Zlatan Ibrahimovic's linguistic choice of insults for referees, Lyon boss Hubert Fournier added: "All the referees in this league get insulted by this person [Ibrahimovic]."

"The referees are not bilingual or trilingual, so they don't understand. In a way, it's better to speak Italian or English to insult referees."

French Ligue 1

Third meets first at the Stade de Gerland in Lyon this evening and maybe referee Clement Turpin will have his English phrasebook as well as his red and yellow cards in his pocket?

Image source, AFP

That's after claims by Lyon coach Hubert Fournier that PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic abuses French referees in either English or Italian so they can't understand him. Excusez-moi?

While most of our focus will centre on the match in Spain, there are also important matches in France, Italy and Portugal tonight.

And that means we will be dashing around the continent over the next few hours, clocking up more miles than a low budget airline.

Spanish La Liga

Athletic Bilbao: Iraizoz, De Marcos, Balenziaga, Etxeita, Laporte, San Jose, Mikel Rico, Unai Lopez, Susaeta, Aduriz, Muniain. Subs: Aurtenetxe, Inaki Williams, Gurpegi, Benat, Ager Aketxe, Ibai, Iago.

Barcelona: Bravo, Alves, Pique, Mathieu, Jordi Alba, Rakitic, Busquets, Xavi, Suarez, Messi, Neymar. Subs: Ter Stegen, Pedro, Iniesta, Rafinha, Mascherano, Bartra, Adriano.

Spanish La Liga

Image source, EPA

Hola amigos! Crisis, huh? What crisis? That is what may have been going through Luis Enrique's mind as he was gasping for breath in the middle of the Messi maelstrom last month.

Whether the Argentina maestro rates his boss or not is something that those of us outside of the Barcelona dressing room are never likely to know. Until, perhaps, Messi releases his 14th autobiography in the year 2034 at the grand old age of 46.

But what we do know today is that Luis Enrique and his team have renewed hope in the Spanish title race. Victory in the Basque Country at mid-table Athletic Bilbao will move them within one point of leaders Real Madrid...

'Mes que un club' - which translates as 'more than a club' - is the long-established motto of Barcelona. And often it is more than a football club - more, in fact, like a real-life soap opera.

So when the iconic Messi mischievously flirted with Chelsea,, external the whole world gasped in the sort of shock that might greet a particularly dramatic Eastenders 'duh-duh' moment.

But the episode quickly blew over, with life seemingly back to normal. Messi is said to be happy, Barcelona are back winning - and a La Liga title is back within their sights.

Image source, Getty Images

A dark cloud hovered over FC Barcelona this time last month. But it was nothing to do with miserable weather deluging the Catalonia capital.

Nope, several storms were brewing on the ground - and threatening to submerge the 22-time Spanish champions.

Performances on the pitch were not matching the standards of old as fans feared another trophyless season. A transfer ban stopping them signing players until 2016 was upheld. And in-fighting between the boardroom and club members led to early elections.

To cap it all, there was even talk that Lionel Messi wanted to leave...