It’s a battle of grit as Athletic Bilbao host Real Sociedad in their La Liga match on April 15 at the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao. Sociedad will be looking to maintain their top four position and hope they are not overrun by Villareal while Bilbao will be looking to climb into the top six. The latest Basque derby encounter will take place at the San Mames Barria on Saturday.
Read More: Manchester City–Leicester City
Athletic Bilbao–Real Sociedad
Athletic Bilbao have maintained an impressive run, remaining unbeaten run across all competitions to four matches after a 2-1 away win against Espanyol last weekend. Bilbao will be hopeful of defeating Real Sociedad, considering they have lost only one of their last ten top-flight Basque derbies on home soil.
After losing 2-0 loss away to Villarreal, Sociedad beat Getafe at home last weekend. Mikel Oyarzabal’s nine-game drought ended when he opened the scoring on the stroke of half time. Takefusa Kubo scored his second home goal in two matches, ensuring his side three points an hour into play.
Read More: Manchester United-Sevilla
They have won 15 games in the La Liga this season, reaching their first top-four finish in 10 years, as they remain four points clear of Villareal. Alguacil’s team have already played 15 matches in the La Liga this season, and might just be able to secure a top-four finish after a long gap of 10 years, four points clear of Villareal in fifth place.
Match preview
Mikel Oyarzabal’s nine-match run without a goal ended after he scored before half time, while Takefusa Kubo was able to find his second home goal in as many matches, securing three points.
Read More: Juventus-Sporting CP
Sociedad now have 15 wins in La Liga this season, as they find themselves in a solid position to claim their first top-four finish in 10 years. They are currently four points clear of Villareal in fifth place. Athletic Bilbao’s Jon Morcillo will not be playing as he is recovering from a broken collarbone. Meanwhile, Inigo Lekue is also missing out due to a muscle injury.
Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Aguirrezabala; De Marcos, Vivian, I. Martinez, Yuri; D. Garcia, Vesga; I. Williams, Sancet, N. Williams; Guruzeta
Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Gorosabel, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Munoz; Zubimendi; Mendez, Merino; D. Silva; Kubo, Sorloth
Read More: AC Milan-Napoli
Head-to-head record
Athletic Bilbao are the more successful side, having won 17 of their last 44 matches. Real Sociedad, meanwhile, have 16 wins.
- Athletic Bilbao wins: 17
- Real Sociedad wins: 16
- Draws: 11
Athletic Bilbao–Real Sociedad prediction
Fans can expect a thrilling contest between the two Spanish sides this weekend as they look to boost their European hopes. While Real Sociedad ended their last match against Bilbao earlier this year, the latter is expected to finish the game with at least a point at home.
Prediction: Athletic Bilbao 2-2 Real Sociedad
Read More: Real Madrid-Chelsea
Date, kick-off time, venue
The La Liga match between Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad will be played on 15 Apr 2023 at 14:15 UTC at San Mamés stadium, Bilbao city, Spain and 7:45 pm (IST) on April 15, 2023.
