Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction and Betting Preview, 09 Feb 2020

Here's our Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction analysis:

Both teams enjoyed their respective Copa del Rey fixtures little over a week ago and will be heading into this fixture full of confidence. While Real Sociedad cruised their way to the semi-finals with a thrilling 3-4 win over Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao shocked Barcelona with 1-0 stoppage-time winner.

Match status: 2019-20 La Liga - Matchweek 23
Kick-off: Sunday 09 Feb 2020, 02:00pm CET
 Venue: Reale Seguros Stadium (San Sebastian)

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For Sociedad it has been four wins out of five across all competitions beating the likes of Espanyol (2-0), Osasuna (3-1) and clinching full points against Mallorca (3-0). These wins have come with an unsurprisingly wide margin of goals and today, they look set to continue in that stride.

Athletic Bilbao might have struggled a bit of recent in the La Liga with a disappointing string of five consecutive draws, but their shock win over Barcelona showed glimpses of what they can do when stretched to their limits.

Their manager will be hoping they can take confidence from such positive display and replicate such feat at the Reale Arena. Both sides are definitely coming into this fixture in high spirits and we expect nothing short of a thrilling encounter.

Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao Team News

It would be a matter of local pride and ego when both sides meet on Sunday afternoon. Both teams comprised of young home-grown starlets are currently challenging for top honours in the Spanish La Liga this season.

Though a Copa del Rey win seems to have lifted spirits high in both teams, a loss for both teams against relegation-threatened Leganes and title-chasing Getafe means there’s much more to fight for, for both teams.

Athletic Bilbao will definitely be fielding an entire squad with close ties to the region. This is due to their Basque-only policy. A lot will be expected from the young 22-year old star forward, Asier Villalibre, who was on the scoresheet in his first La Liga start earlier this month at Espanyol.

Real Sociedad will be turning to their ever-youthful side once more. This season have seen La Real field the youngest first XI in the La Liga. The likes of Ander Guevera, Robin Le Normand, Aihen Munoz, Ander Barrenetxea and Igor Zubeldia have all impressed to secure regular shirts in the team.

The likes of Martin Odegaard and Alexander Isak are also enjoying impressive campaigns of their own, the latter securing four goals in his last seven La Liga games.

Now, both managers must decide either to continue with the same team who did the job midweek or to add a few changes to spice things up a little.

It is interesting to note that 15 of the last 19 clashes at this venue saw the home team fail to keep a single clean sheet. Again, seven of the past ten wins at this stadium ended in victories for Real Sociedad.

While both teams might have lost their previous La Liga fixtures, a terrific midweek Copa del Rey display from both sides means we’re up for a showdown on Sunday afternoon.

Injured or Suspended Players

Real Sociedad: Illarramendi, Diego Llorente and Zurutuza.

Athletic Bilbao: Inigo Martinez and De Marcosю

Pre-Match Odds

Real Sociedad: 2.11
Draw: 3.32
Athletic Bilbao: 3.82

All odds are with 1xBet and are subject to change.
All odds are for Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao Predictions with 1xBet and are subject to change.

Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao Predictions

Athletic Bilbao have been on a poor run of form in La Liga, failing to win any of their last seven matches. Their away form has also been terrible, clinching just one win on the road this season.

Given Real Sociedad have home advantage under their belt, they are considered slight favorites for the win here. We are counting on Real Sociedad to come out with a tough victory this Sunday and bring their scoring streak to five games against Bilbao.