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Spanish football is back in action with another edition of the Basque Derby this weekend as Real Sociedad take on Ernesto Valverde's Athletic Bilbao side in an important La Liga clash at the San Mames on Sunday. Both teams have good players in their ranks and will want to win this game.
Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad Preview
Real Sociedad are in eighth place in the La Liga standings and have been inconsistent so far this season. La Real thrashed Jove Espanol by a 5-0 scoreline in the Copa del Rey this week and will be confident ahead of this fixture.
Athletic Bilbao, on the other hand, are in sixth place in the league table and have stepped up to the plate this year. The home side played out a 1-1 draw against Real Valladolid before the international break and will need to take it up a notch in this fixture.
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Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- Athletic Bilbao have a good historical record in the Basque Derby and have won 79 out of the 191 matches between the two teams, as opposed to Real Sociedad's 62 victories.
- Athletic Bilbao have won their last three matches at home against Real Sociedad in La Liga - their longest run of home victories in the Basque Derby in the competition since 2005.
- After a run of only one defeat in nine matches against Athletic Bilbao in La Liga, Real Sociedad have lost three of their last five such games against their local rivals in the competition.
- Real Sociedad have suffered a defeat against Deportivo Alaves this season and could lose two Basque Derbies in a row in La Liga for the first time since 2017.
Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad Prediction
Athletic Bilbao have shown marked improvement under Ernesto Valverde so far and have a point to prove going into this game. Nico Williams and Alex Berenguer can be lethal on their day and will need to make an impact this weekend.
Real Sociedad have flattered to deceive this season and cannot afford to put a foot wrong on Sunday. Both teams are evenly matched on paper and could play out a draw in this match.
Prediction: Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Real Sociedad
Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Draw
Tip 2: Game to have over 2.5 goals -No
Tip 3: Real Sociedad to score first - Yes
