Athletic Bilbao v Real Sociedad

Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad Preview

Athletic Bilbao continued their rich vein of form in the Spanish top flight last Thursday with a 2-0 win away from home at Sevilla which extended the hosts' unbeaten run in La Liga to nine games overall which also helped Ernesto Valverde's side up into fourth place, while Real Sociedad were held to a third consecutive stalemate in the form of a disappointing 1-1 draw at home with lowly Alaves last time out.

Six points currently separate the fourth placed hosts from sixth placed Real Sociedad but having collected no fewer than six wins within their last nine games in La Liga, Saturday's hosts, Athletic Bilbao, will be in confident mood that they can not only grab all three points here but also hold onto their current fourth place position in the table as well.

Four of these six wins have been achieved on home soil at Athletic Bilbao's San Mamés Barria ground by way of victories gained over Celta Vigo, Rayo Vallecano, Atletico Madrid and Las Palmas, with the latter three wins also seeing Athletic Bilbo keep clean sheets as well.

The bigger picture shows Athletic Bilbao have suffered just two defeats out of their previous 18 games overall in the Spanish top flight with losses incurred against Real Sociedad and Barcelona, although both defeats were inflicted upon Bilbao on their travels, while at home, Athletic Bilbao are unbeaten in their last nine matches, picking up seven wins in the process.

Real Sociedad have been involved in three draws on the trot in recent times in La Liga but nevertheless, the visitors have extended their unbeaten run to seven games which also gives Imanol Aguacil's side a chance of picking up something from this upcoming trip to the San Mamés Barria on Saturday evening.

Three wins and four draws make up this recent seven-match unbeaten sequence which includes wins registered against Almeria, Sevilla and Villarreal, all of whom currently occupy places in the lower half of the La Liga table, but the bigger picture shows Real Sociedad have suffered just three defeats out of their previous 20 games overall in the domestic top flight.

Two of these defeats were inflicted upon Real Sociedad away from home by way of losses incurred on the road at Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid while results away from home have also been pretty consistent as the visitors have slipped to just three losses in their last 13 outings on the road in La Liga.

Athletic Bilbao v Real Sociedad Verdict

This upcoming fixture between Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad therefore looks to be a tight one to call but Athletic Bilbao have won each of the last three home meetings on the trot against their visitors, so we give the nod to the hosts here.

Therefore, our main bet will be Athletic Bilbao win @ 2.00

Other side bets worth considering:

Athletic Bilbao win & Under 2.5 goals @ 4.00

Correct Score: Athletic Bilbao 2-0 @ 9.00