Ath Bilbao vs Real Sociedad Prediction & Betting Tips (1 February)

Installed on the 13th folding seat in La Liga, Athletic Bilbao is clearly not there this season. Their defeat in Seville at Pizjuan last weekend 2-1 is one example among many of the fragile state of this Basque team. The Lions had already gone 4 days of the championship without finding the key to victory, including defeats against Mallorca 3-2 and the coming of the Catalans from Espanyol Barcelona 1-2. Let us recall the correction received from FC Barcelona in the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup 5-0. During the week, Ernesto Valverde's men hosted Sporting on the final day of the UEFA Champions League league stage, and their defeat cost them a place in the top 24 to play in the play-offs 2-3.

 In bad shape since the start of the season overall, Real Sociedad beat Getafe away 1-2, and since then, it's as if something clicked since in the process, Sociedad allowed itself to offer itself, at home, FC Barcelona 2-1 and Celta Vigo last weekend 3-1. The Basques from the Anoeta Arena in San Sebastian will therefore make this trip to San Mamés with the aim of defending their series of 3 successive victories in La Liga. Thanks to this good form, Mikel Oyarzabal's teammates moved up to 8th place with another 5 points behind the top 6, qualifying for the summer play-offs of the Conference League. 

The absences are raining down and weighing down this Athletic Bilbao team. Yeray Alvarez is still suspended for doping while Egiluz and Ben Prados, both suffering from cruciate ligaments, will not play in this derby like the unfortunate Sannadi (important), central defender Aymeric Laporte and the eldest of the Williams siblings, Inaki, all injured. In the Champions League, starters Nico Williams and Vivian did not play (uncertain). Suspended for the trip to Andalusia against Sevilla FC, Gorka Guruzeta and Lekué will likely be back on the match sheet today. Against Sevilla, it was R.Navarro (4 goals, 1 assist in La Liga) who opened the hostilities, in vain. Nico Williams, extended last summer for eternity, must do more for his team (4 goals, 2 assists in La Liga). The particularity of the two victories against Barcelona and Celta Vigo in the league is that each time Sociedad finished the match with ten men. If Carlos Soler (ex-PSG) should be back in competition today, the central defender also spent in Ligue 1, Duje Caleta-Car will be suspended following his exclusion last weekend against Vigo.

Absent due to injury Zakharyan, Ruperez, Marchal, Lebarbier, Yangel Herrera and Take Kubo (serious injury) will remain away from San Mamés. Missing the victory against Celta due to a digestive problem, Sergio Gomez is still uncertain. Scorer against Barça, Mikel Oyarzabal seems to be regaining confidence as evidenced by his double against Celta Vigo, bringing his total of goals to 8 points in the league. It was Brais Mendez (5 goals, 2 assists in La Liga), on a penalty, who concluded the collective work. Author of the winning goal against Barcelona, ​​Goncalo Guedes (ex-PSG) will be there in the den of the Bilbao Lions.  The probable line-ups for Athletic Bilbao - Real Sociedad:Athletic Bilbao: Simon - Areso, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche - Galarreta, Jauregizar - Navarro, Sancet, N.Williams - Berenguer.Real Sociedad: Remiro - Aramburu, Martin, Zubeldia, Gomez - Soler, Turrientes - Guedes, Mendez, Barrenetxea - Oyarzabal.