Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao predictions, H2H and match preview for this Sunday’s game in La Liga. Read on for analysis and predicted line-ups ahead of this big Basque derby in Donostia.
Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao Preview
This game features two of the four Copa del Rey Semi-Finalists and if the ties go to form (which has rarely happened in this season’s Copa), this might just be a dress-rehearsal for April’s Final. The big Basque derby is always a terrific occasion and it could be even more-so this weekend after the remarkable action we’ve seen this week.
Both sides should certainly head into this one in the best of spirits. Real Sociedad were outstanding at the Bernabeu on Thursday night with a brace from Alexander Isak firing them to a memorable and deserved 4-3 victory. La Real’s recent league form has been a bit more mixed though with 3 of their last 4 matches in La Liga ending in defeat. They are just one place but three points above their Basque rivals heading into this.
Athletic Club’s chances of European qualification through the league have also taken some dents in recent weeks. They’ve gone 7 games without a win now in La Liga including a damaging home defeat against Getafe last weekend. However they responded in the best possible fashion with a dramatic late goal sealing a 1-0 win against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey on Thursday night.
There’s a really good chance one of these two sides will now end what has been a 33 year drought for the Basque clubs in Spanish football’s two biggest competitions. However that will be far from the minds of both sets of players come kick-off on Sunday as another chapter in this great rivalry is written.
Both coaches must decide whether to stick with the players that delivered the goods in midweek or whether to freshen things up with some changes.
Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao Predictions
Score Prediction: 2-1 Real Sociedad
Former Real Sociedad centre-back Iñigo Martínez is suspended here sparing him a hostile welcome on his return to Anoeta. That could be significant too as La Real’s attacking players are really firing, not least Isak who is on fire with 11 goals in his last 11 games. This derby might just go Real Sociedad’s way with Athletic having only won once all season on their travels in La Liga.
Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao Tips (18+)
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Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao H2H
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 3 Real Sociedad Wins, 2 Athletic Wins, 1 Draw.
- Athletic won the reverse clash 2-0 at San Mames in August.
- Real Sociedad had won all of the previous 3 league meetings though.
- Athletic have only won on 1 of their last 6 visits to Anoeta – 2-0 in March 2017.
Predicted Line Ups
La Real Team:
Remiro – Monreal, Normand, Aritz, Zaldua – Merino, Zubeldia, Odegaard – Oyarzabal, Isak, Portu (4-3-3)
Athletic Team:
Herrerin – Yuri, Nunez, Yeray, Capa – Dani Garcia, Unai Lopez – Muniain, Raul Garcia, Williams – Villalibre (4-2-3-1)
Where to Watch
UK: LaLigaTV | Indian subcontinent: Facebook | Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport 7
We have match previews for every game in La Liga this season.
Elsewhere this Sunday in La Liga
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