La Liga: Real Sociedad Seek Basque Derby Double

Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad

Old rivals Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad are set to square off once again for the second Basque derby of the La Liga season.

La Real came out on top in the first derby at the Anoeta, and they will be seeking to do the double over their city rivals for the first time since the 2018-19 season to strengthen their hold on fourth spot.

But Athletic Club have European ambitions of their own as they lie in seventh, so they will be keen to spoil Sociedad’s Champions League hopes.

Talking Points

Athletic Bilbao back on track

Athletic Bilbao are on a bit of a roll. They beat Espanyol 2-1 last time out, with brothers Nico and Inaki Williams getting the goals.

Bilbao are now unbeaten in their last three games, with a 3-1 away win at Real Valladolid and a goalless draw at home against Getafe their other two La Liga 2023 results during that time.

Coach Ernesto Valverde has gone back to starting Gorka Guruzeta at centre-forward over the last month, a move which is working out well. The 26-year-old has contributed a goal and an assist over his last three league starts.

Nico Williams came on as a substitute against Espanyol, but look for the 20-year-old to return to the starting XI as Valverde prepares his strongest lineup against Real Sociedad.

Veteran midfielder Ander Herrera also came off the bench against Espanyol as he made his first appearance since late January. The 33-year-old will now be in contention to appear in his first Basque derby since 2014.

Athletic have a middling home record this season. They have collected just 21 points from 14 games, with six wins, three draws, and five defeats. Three of those five defeats have come against Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, and Barcelona.

Real Sociedad still dreaming of Champions League

Real Sociedad’s La Liga 2023 odds of finishing in the top four are still looking good after their 2-0 home win against Getafe. La Real still have a four-point lead over fifth-placed Villarreal, whom they lost to the previous midweek.

Star forward Mikel Oyarzabal finally ended his seven-match goalless drought as he scored just his third goal of the season. Meanwhile, Japanese wonderkid Takefusa Kubo continued his fine debut season with La Real as he scored his sixth goal in 25 appearances.

Kubo started alongside Oyarzabal up front against Getafe, with leading scorer Alexander Sorloth on the bench. It remains to be seen how manager Imanol Alguacil will set his side up against Bilbao, but Sorloth, who has started 21 of 28 games this La Liga season, is expected to figure prominently.

Real Sociedad have been away specialists this season. Only Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and Real Madrid have picked up more away points than their 26 in 14 games.

However, their recent away form has been spotty. They have won just one away game in their last seven in all competitions, with only four goals scored during that time.

History

The Basque derby has been quite competitive over the years. Athletic still have a healthy 77-61 lead in all-time wins, with 50 draws.

But in recent seasons, it’s been Real Sociedad who have had the advantage. They have an 11-7 edge in wins, with 7 draws in their last 28 La Liga matches.

La Real won their first meeting of the season 3-1. Sorloth, Kubo and Oyarzabal all got on the scoresheet as Bilbao finished with just 10 men after Yeray Alvarez’s sending off.

Betting Tip

SBOTOP odds have Athletic Bilbao installed as 2.23 favourites to get the win at San Mames. La Real are priced at 3.05 to complete the derby double, while a draw is 3.10.

La Real have the edge in dangerous attacking talent, with the likes of Sorloth, Kubo, Oyarzabal, and David Silva. But home advantage usually counts in the Basque derby; the away side has only won one of the last eight derbies between the two.

I expect Athletic Bilbao to produce a battling performance that, while not pretty, will see them claim three valuable points.

 

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