Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Known as Euskal Derbia, we have a Basque derby at San Mames this weekend taking place between Athletic Club and Real Sociedad. It is one of the most famous rivalries in European football.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 24th November, 2024: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Athletic Bilbao Preview: Impressive Athletic
Former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde is in charge of an impressive Athletic Club side that are looking to win a second piece of silverware after ending their 41-year-duck when they won the 2023/24 Copa del Rey last season. The UEFA Europa League is their best bet with the final of the competition taking place at San Mames in Bilbao later this season.
The Basque giants have been a little inconsistent throughout this season as they sit just outside of the top four and the UEFA Champions League qualifying spots. Their most recent outing saw them held to a 1-1 draw against struggling Real Valladolid at Estadio Jose Zorrilla before the November international break.
Real Sociedad Preview: Improving La Real
Real Sociedad come into this one on the back of a slow start to the season but they enjoyed a famous result a couple of weeks ago before the November international break at the Anoeta in the Basque Country with a slender 1-0 victory thanks to a 33rd minute winning goal from former Union Berlin striker Sheraldo Becker.
Real Sociedad have now won three of their last four matches in La Liga after a very dodgy start to the campaign still coached by Imanol Aguacil. La Real are known for having one of the most intense styles of football in Europe and that usually leads to a decline in the second-half of the season but it appears to have been the other way around this time.
Athletic Bilbao Team News: No Unai Simon
Athletic have been dealing with several injuries throughout this season but the likes of Nico Williams, Oihan Sancet and Oscar de Marcos have all returned to full fitness.
The hosts are dealing with a key man still being absent, though, due to Spain number one goalkeeper Unai Simon remaining unavailable due to a wrist injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Julen Agirrezabala; Oscar de Marcos, Yeray Alvarez, Aitor Paredes, Yuri Berchiche; Mikel Jauregizar, Benat Prados; Inaki Williams, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams; Gorka Guruzeta
Unavailable: Unai Simon (Injured)
Questionable:
Real Sociedad Team News: Oskarsson doubt
Iceland international Orri Oskarsson is dealing with a hamstring injury but should be available which is a boost for La Real after his impressive recent form on a personal level.
Both Ham Traore and Martin Zubimendi are unavailable due to an ACL injury and hamstring injury respectively, whilst centre-back Igor Zubeldia is a doubt.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Alex Remiro; Jon Aramburu, Igor Zubeldia, Ageurd, Alex Munoz; Aritz Elustondo; Kubo, Brais Mendez, Sucic, Becker; Mikel Oyarzabal
Unavailable: Traore (Injured), Martin Zubimendi (Injured)
Questionable: Igor Zubeldia (Injured), Oskarsson (Injured)
Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad Prediction
This Basque derby features two teams that are both looking strong in the UEFA Europa League and their performances and results have also improved in La Liga as the season has gone on. Athletic have been held to three successive draws in the league before the international break. Real Sociedad have won three of their last four matches in the league but tend to be defensively solid and lacking an incision in attack so a low-scoring and tense derby is to be expected.
Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad Tip: Under 2.5 goals