Ath Bilbao vs Real Sociedad prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-01-12 17:30.
What a season it's proving to be for Athletic Bilbao who, after embarking on a 12 match unbeaten run across all competitions (W9, D3), return to San Mamés occupying fourth place in the La Liga standings and having qualified for the last 16 of the Copa Del Rey. With each of their last four competitive matches ending in victory ‘to nil’, it’s not difficult to see why boss Ernesto Valverde was named ‘La Liga Manager of the Month’ for December. His next assignment is to help his side win a third straight league H2H at home to Real Sociedad.
There’s history to be made for the hosts if they can win again without conceding, as it would make it four consecutive such victories, something the club haven’t managed to achieve in La Liga since September 1988. That said, a 3-0 loss in the reverse league meeting back in September should act as a stern warning for Athletic, as too could their poor overall form against their near-neighbours which has seen them win just three of the past 13 league meetings (D3, L7).
That’ll be music to the ears of Basque counterparts Sociedad, who arrive in town looking to close the gap on their opposition here as they search for a second successive Champions League qualification. After their dominant success in the reverse H2H, the visitors will be looking to claim a league double over their rivals for just the third time in La Liga history, with their duo of victories back in 1979/80 serving as their only season without conceding in the process.
As Imanol Alguacil’s side have kept four clean sheets in nine attempts on the road in La Liga this season – the joint-third most in the division – that seems a real possibility. On top of that, Sociedad also remain unbeaten across their past ten competitive away outings (W6, D4), whilst keeping a clean sheet in each of their last five, which should raise confidence even further.
Players to watch: Athletic’s Gorka Guruzeta has netted eight league goals this season, the last seven of which have all come on home soil. Mikel Oyarzabal has one fewer for Sociedad (G7), though he has scored twice in the past three H2Hs.
Hot stat: Athletic are yet to lose as pre-match favourites this La Liga season, winning 11 of their 14 such matches (D3).