Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad Preview: Team News & Prediction
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It is a badly timed Basque derby for Athletic Club as they welcome their in-form arch-rivals Real Sociedad from San Sebastian to Bilbao on Sunday night.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / US – ESPN+
Athletic Bilbao preview: Trouble in Bilbao
Athletic Club come into this one on the back of a humbling midweek. The Basque giants succumbed to a last-gasp 3-2 loss at home to Sporting CP at San Mames, leaving them entirely knocked out of this season’s UEFA Champions League after a tough campaign both domestically and on the continent.
In La Liga, Athletic have struggled to balance the intensity of both European and Spanish commitments. Ernesto Valverde’s side are into a genuine relegation battle with the inertia of no Europe perhaps set to kick in and, consequently, even poorer performances may follow.
Real Sociedad preview: Sublime in San Sebastian
Real Sociedad, on the other hand, have enjoyed an exceptional start to the calendar year, following the appointment of Pellegrino Matarazzo during the winter break. La Real are now looking up towards the European spots once again in the final few months of the campaign.
They come into this one on the back of making it ten points collected in four matches under Matarazzo, with victories against in-form Celta Vigo and Levante, as well as defending champions Barcelona and a more than respectable draw with Atletico Madrid.
Athletic Bilbao team news: Attacking injuries
Athletic Club have a few attacking injury issues for this one as Inaki Williams is sidelined, while Oihan Sancet is a doubt alongside both Nico Williams and Maroan Sannadi.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Jesus Areso, Andoni Gorosabel, Aitor Paredes, Yuri Berchiche; Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Mikel Jauregizar; Robert Navarro, Alejandro Rego, Alex Berenguer; Gorka Guruzeta
Unavailable: Inigo Lekue (Suspended), Yeray (Disciplinary), Unai Egiluz (Injured), Benat Prados (Injured), Inaki Williams (Injured)
Questionable: Dani Vivian (Injured), Laporte (Injured), Maroan Sannadi (Injured), Oihan Sancet (Injured), Nico Williams (Injured)
Real Sociedad team news: Caleta-Car suspended
Croatia international centre-back Duje Caleta-Car is now missing through suspension for the visitors, while Takefusa Kubo is unavailable as he is missing through injury.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Alex Remiro; Jon Aramburu, Jonas Martin, Igor Zubeldia, Aihen Munoz; Ander Barrenetxea, Benat Turrientes, Carlos Soler, Brais Mendez; Guedes, Mikel Oyarzabal
Unavailable: Caleta-Car (Suspended), Inaki Ruperez (Injured), Yangel Herrera (Injured), Kubo (Injured)
Questionable: Sergio Gomez (Injured), Zakharyan (Injured)
Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad prediction
Real Sociedad are trending in an extremely positive direction after a couple of years of regression. They head into the derby knowing that it could be season defining for both clubs and, given the form and mood of the two outfits, siding with La Real may well be the good value bet to go for here. Athletic will make it tough but their fatigue is showing and the visitors are playing with an impressive newfound intensity.
Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad tip: Real Sociedad to win
