Real Sociedad vs Ath Bilbao prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2025-05-03 19:00.
[p]Real Sociedad have opted to stick with what they know by confirming that current B-team boss Sergio Francisco will replace Imanol Alguacil at the season’s end. Both will be hoping it’s a campaign they finish strongly, as ahead of the 193rd Basque derby against local rivals Athletic Bilbao, Sociedad need to rediscover some form after going three matches without a win in La Liga (D1, L2).[/p]
[p]It’s a sequence that’s left La Real in danger of missing out on European qualification and history is not on their side as they seek a response here having lost four of their last six league meetings with Athletic (W2). Both wins came across the last two meetings on Sociedad soil, and they are on stronger footing at home, where they’re unbeaten across the last seven H2Hs (W5, D2), although they’ve won just one of their last five at the Reale Arena in all competitions this season (D1, L3).[/p]
[p]As Athletic bid for local bragging rights, they do so on the back of one of their worst results of the season having lost 3-0 at home to Manchester United in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final. On a more positive note, they are 18 points ahead of Sociedad, and after losing just one of their last seven league fixtures (W3, D3), they are guaranteed some form of European football next season.[/p]
[p]They’ll be keen to ensure it’s the Champions League they’re competing in, but a run of just one win from their last six away league games (D3, L2) threatens to consign them to the Europa League once again. Re-finding their defensive solidity could help them end that run, as the 26 La Liga goals they’ve conceded this season is the lowest in the league, while ahead of this weekend, only Napoli (25) have conceded fewer across Europe’s traditional top-five leagues. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Each of Sergio GĂłmez’s last three strikes for Sociedad came after the 55th minute and put them two goals clear of their opponents. Athletic’s Yuri Berchiche – formerly of Sociedad – could be keeping the referee busy after collecting first-half bookings in each of his last two outings, while he was also cautioned in November’s reverse fixture.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: A pre-round joint-league high nine of Athletic’s away league games this term stood goalless at half-time. [/p]
[p][i]Written by John Pennington[/i][/p]