La Liga: Exciting Basque Derby Awaits!

Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad

Athletic Bilbao are set to host Real Sociedad in what will add to another chapter to the historic Basque Derby.

This La Liga game is to be held at the San Mames stadium where the home team managed to stun FC Barcelona in their first game. However, they couldn’t add another win after they were drawn 1-1 against Getafe CF last week.

Meanwhile, Real Sociedad earned their first win against RCD Mallorca after getting a draw against Valencia on opening matchday. They plan on keeping their momentum going as they try to win another one on the road at the expense of their bitter rivals.

The Basque Derby usually is an intense affair between these two clubs. Penalties and red cards are normally handed out and a lot of fireworks are to be expected in this highly-anticipated match up.

SBOBET previews on what’s ahead on this match on Saturday.

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EREDIVISIE

Talking Points

Can Gaizka Garitano replicate last season’s success?

Bilbao bounced back after flirting with relegation last season. With the promotion of Athletic Bilbao B manager Gaizka Garitano, the team played with more spirit as they finished at the eighth spot of the table.

With no significant signings over the past transfer window, Bilbao brought in some players from their B squad to try and fill in for the ones who have already left. Garitano will be tasked to right the ship once again despite having fewer tools at his disposal.

Los Leones are to be led by their striker Inaki Williams. The Spanish footballer churned in an impressive campaign for the Athletic Bilbao club that struggled in scoring goals last term. Athletic scored just 41 goals last season – good for the fifth-fewest in the La Liga.

He signed a nine-year pact for Bilbao which says a lot about his potential. He may not be a young high-profile name like Antoine Griezmann or Joao Felix, but he can surely keep up with them thanks to his speed and exquisite ball control.

Athletic academy alumnus Inigo Cordoba is also a player to look out for in this season. He made 15 starts and he notched five assists in the team’s campaign last year. The 22-year-old will be fighting for a starting role this term.

Bilbao will have their work cut out for them as they try to replicate last season’s success. And if they can continue their upward trajectory while staying healthy, San Mames will be a fortress once again.

Real Sociedad’s youth investment

Real Sociedad are coming in with a new look this La Liga season. Like Athletic Bilbao, La Real brought in a new team manager in Imanol Alguacil last December when the team was stumbling to the bottom of the table.

La Real ended ninth at the table since then, but the team lacked consistency as they failed to make it to the European qualifiers.

With the team filled with youthful energy, the trio of Mikel Oyarzabal, Alexander Isak, and Martin Odegaard will spearhead Real Sociedad’s attack this season.

Three points from Saturday’s Basque derby would see either Athletic or La Real go top of the early La Liga table — Real Sociedad celebrates in front of the fans

Oyarzabal netted 13 goals last term and he continues to impress with his stint with the Spanish national team.

Isak, on the other hand, is an interesting addition. The 19-year-old standout scored 13 goals and six assists in 16 appearances for Willem II in the Dutch Eredivisie last season.

After an up-and-down journey over the last few years, Martin Odegaard now has a chance to live up to his promise. The Norwegian forward performed well in the Eredivisie last term and he is expected to do the same here for Real Sociedad.

With all these in place, expect La Real to make a run at least for the sixth spot in the La Liga table.

History

Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad first faced off in the La Liga on February 1929 where they tallied a 1-1 draw.

La Real has gotten the better of Los Leones in the past few matches. They are currently on a three-game winning streak against Bilbao since their drawn match last December 2017.

All in all, these two clubs have met a whopping total of 144 times in La Liga.

Betting Tip

	Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad	Athletic Bilbao Asian Handicap -0.25 @1.77
	August 31, 04:00 (GMT+8)

In this match, Athletic Bilbao is pegged at 2.71 odds for a win while Real Sociedad is placed at 4.50. The La Liga 2019 odds for a draw between these two clubs are at 1.96.

While recent history suggests that Real Sociedad is expected to win this match, one can’t simply overlook Athletic Bilbao’s form as of late – especially at home.

Los Leones won in five out of their last six home games, with four of those games having two or more goals. Gaizka Garitano has done a tremendous job on managing his squad and he continues to prove as to why the team was right in appointing him last season.

I see a 2-1 victory in favour of the home team in this game, but this appears to be a very close fight. Fans can expect a lot of La Liga 2019 highlights on this fixture.