Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Spanish Primera
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THE FACTS
When is Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao on and what time does it start? Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao will take place on Saturday 30th September, 2023 – 20:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao on in the UK? Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao will be televised live on LaLigaTV, but La Liga matches are also televised occasionally on Viaplay Sports and ITV
Where can I stream Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao in the UK? Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao can be streamed live on Viaplay, while ITV matches can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
REAL SOCIEDAD
Real Sociedad remain and have been one of the most intense teams in European football in terms of their pressing. That will likely explain why they have fallen away from the very top-of-the-table in each of the last three seasons in La Liga. Last year, though, they managed to maintain their form enough to finish in the top four and qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
Imanol Aguacil’s La Real started the season slowly with three successive draws but they have begun to pick up the pace as we move into the Autumn. Their 1-0 win away to Valencia at Mestalla in midweek made it three victories in their last four La Liga matches as they look to make it back-to-back top four finishes.
ATHLETIC BILBAO
Athletic are restricted in the transfer market by their self-imposed ‘cantera’ policy of only signing Basque players. Whilst the rules have been bent slightly, they remain limited in who they can strengthen with each summer yet remain a challenger for the top seven and the European spots, as they were last season and should be again this year.
Ernesto Valverde’s men began the season slowly themselves, losing 2-0 in fairly humiliating fashion against Real Madrid. Since then, though, they have been excellent as they challenge for a top seven finish. Their 2-2 draw with Getafe in midweek means they are unbeaten in the six matches since that defeat to Madrid.
THE TEAM NEWS
REAL SOCIEDAD
Real Sociedad are without a couple of injuries for this weekend with Arsen Zakharyan a fresh doubt for Imanol Aguacil’s La Real as they host rivals Athletic.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Remiro; Traore, Elustondo, Pacheco, Tierney; Merino, Gonzalez de Zarate, Turrientes; Oyarzabal, Fernandez, Cho
UNAVAILABLE: Merquelanz (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Zakharyan (Injured)
ATHLETIC BILBAO
Athletic Club will be without suspended Oihan Sancet for this weekend’s Basque derby, as ell as Inigo Ruiz da Galaretta and key forward Nico Williams.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Simon; de Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche; Vesga, Herrera; Williams, Sancet, Berenguer; Guruzeta
UNAVAILABLE: Sancet (Suspended)
QUESTIONABLE: Ruiz de Galarreta (Injured), Williams (Injured), Nolaskoain (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
Euskal Derbia is one of the fiercest and most entertaining rivalries anywhere in world football, let alone on the continent. Both of these sides come into this one in impressive form after relatively slow starts. Real Sociedad’s naturally intense pressing style will only add further spice to an already energetic and febrile atmosphere at the Anoeta. Despite this energetic style they are often involved in low-scoring matches and a match with a lot riding on it such as the derby may mean another quite tense low margin affair. It is always worth a watch but perhaps will not be filled with goals.
TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS
