Between Europe and the second division lie in the Spanish LaLiga just eight counters. Seventh place and 18th place are within just a few points. More tension is hardly possible in the spring, after all, more than half the league is fighting for international business, but at the same time also against relegation. With a winning streak, a big leap forward can be made quickly. This has succeeded in recent weeks, the Basque tradition club Athletic Bilbao. This weekend is again the big Basque derby between Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao on the program!
Football Prediction for Today Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao
The two flagships of Basque football are currently separated in the table only by a counter. Real Sociedad are ninth on the table with 27 points, and Athletic Bilbao are in twelfth with 26 points. But in recent weeks, the shape curve is clearly up and in view of the recent games Athletic Bilbao would have to be in the advantage. The bookmakers rate the home advantage but much more than the current form table. Real Sociedad’s win against Athletic Bilbao will be offered odds of 2.40, while betting odds up to 3.30 will be offered for the Bilbao win. The start of the game at the Aneota Stadium of Real Sociedad is on Saturday afternoon at 16:15!
Real Sociedad – Statistics & Current Form
Ninth place and only two points behind an international grid position are quite positive; Nevertheless, the fans of Real Sociedad are not completely satisfied with this season. At the end of the calendar year 2018, it had four defeats. This was the term of Asier Garitano – who is not related to the now Bilbao coach Gaizka – ended. Imanol Alguacil was promoted by the B-team to interim coach and so far had to convince with strong performances. In his era, there was no league defeat for Real Sociedad in January. The debut saw a sensational 2-0 win against Real Madrid before another win against Espanyol Barcelona was a success. The last two games ended against Rayo Vallecano and SD Huesca – two teams from the basement – with a draw. Only in the Spanish Copa del Rey the Aus had to be countered due to the away goals rule.
The change of coach to Alguacil was still the right decision. The development is now back in the right direction. Despite the many setbacks in the fall, renegotiations were waived in January. Confidence is given to the existing player material. The Basques currently have many injured people. The Basques will have to do without as many as six players these days.
For years, the Aneota Stadium was a dreaded place for their opponents. There is no sign of home strength in a 2-4-4 record this year. In addition, only nine goals have been scored in ten home games. A total of 20 goals (9:11) have been scored in the Aneota Stadium this season. In this respect, in the big Basque derby between Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao, the tip on the under 2.5 could be the right choice.
Expected formation of Real Sociedad:
Rulli – Hernandez, Llorente, Navas, Zaldua – Zubeldia, Illarramendi – Oyarzabal, Merino, Ramirez – Willian Jose
Last matches of Real Sociedad:
- 27.01.2019 – Real Sociedad Vs. Huesca 0: 0 (La Liga)
20.01.2019 – Rayo Vallecano Vs. Real Sociedad 2: 2 (La Liga)
17.01.2019 – Real Sociedad Vs. Betis Sevilla 2: 2 (Copa del Rey)
14.01.2019 – Real Sociedad Vs. Espanyol Barcelona 3: 2 (La Liga)
10.01.2019 – Betis Sevilla vs. Real Sociedad 0: 0 (Copa del Rey)
Athletic Bilbao – Statistics & Current Form
Eduardo Berizzo and Athletic Bilbao just did not want to match. After 15 competitive games, the Argentine coach had to clear his chair with a score of 0.93 per game. Gaizka Garitano – a man from the youth division of Athletic Bilbao – was introduced as the new head coach. Similar to Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil he was promoted as coach of the B-team. Garitano made the U-turn within a few days. The traditional Basques are unrecognizable.
In the first 14 league games Bilbao had to take no less than 23 goals. Gaizka Garitano has now played seven league games as a Bilbao coach and during this period the Basques had only three (!) Goals scored. The defensive has been clearly stabilized and in the game forward players like Captain Iker Muniain or Inaki Williams have to offer tremendous quality. Under Garitano Bilbao has not yet lost a league game. Four of the seven games were won, three times Bilbao drew. Instead of rank 19, the Basques are now ranked 12th and may dream of Europe again.
In the current form table of the last eight games Bilbao is even in fifth place with 15 points to find. The Elf from the Basque Country is “on fire” and is bursting with self-confidence these days. Only in the 2-1 away win against Celta Vigo was the tip on the over 2.5 the right decision. The playing style of Athletic Club Bilbao under Gaizka Garitano is another indication of the under 2.5 in this Baskenderby. Meanwhile, there should be sufficient evidence that in the game between Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao a prediction can be made in the direction of the under 2.5. In terms of personnel, Garitano will be without winger Oscar de Marcos, who was sent off last weekend’s 1-0 home win over Betis Sevilla with a red card from the field. Ibai Gomez or Markel Susaeta are the alternatives for Garitano in the Baskenderby.
Expected formation of Athletic Bilbao:
Mistress – Berchiche, Martinez, Alvarez, Capa – San Jose, Garcia – Cordoba, Muniain, Gomez – Williams
Last matches of Athletic Bilbao:
- 27.01.2019 – Athletic Bilbao Vs. Betis Sevilla 1-0 (La Liga)
20.01.2019 – Villarreal vs. Athletic Bilbao 1: 1 (La Liga)
16.01.2019 – Sevilla vs. Sevilla Athletic Bilbao 0: 1 (Copa del Rey)
13.01.2019 – Athletic Bilbao Vs. Sevilla 2: 0 (La Liga)
10.01.2019 – Athletic Bilbao Vs. Sevilla 1: 3 (Copa del Rey)
Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao Direct Comparison & Stats Highlights
The match between Real Sociedad de San Sebastian and Athletic Bilbao is also well-known as the “Basque Derby”. The two most renowned Basque teams combine a long history with countless duels. More than 100 years ago, in 1909, the two teams faced each other for the first time. 163 Basque derbies have been played so far in the Spanish Football Leagues, with Athletic Bilbao relatively well in the lead with 67 wins over 53 defeats. However, the first derby this season ended with a win for “RSSS”. At the San Mames Stadium, youngster Mikel Oyarzabal made the difference in the 3-1 away win of Real Sociedad with two penalty points.
Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao Best Bet of the Day
The two teams from the Basque Country are currently the best examples of how fast paced football is. By the end of the year, the situation was still sad for both RSSS and Bilbao. One month later, however, both teams may dream of a return to Europe due to the recent strong performances. This means an extremely exciting starting position before the big Basque Derby on Saturday afternoon. Both teams compete with a broad chest and have since the coaching change the turnaround. However, in the duel between Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao, a tip on the three-way market is not an easy task.
Key Facts – Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao tips
Real Sociedad has a weak 2-4-4 home record this season!
In the first leg, Real Sociedad celebrated a 3-1 victory!
Athletic Bilbao is still unbeatable in the league under Neo-coach Gaizka Garitano – seven games, 15 points!
There is no clear trend in the three-way market. In the previous analysis, several arguments have been collected, according to which a Basque derby without many goals can be expected. Bilbao, in particular, has evolved into a team since promotion from Garitano, and the defense is extremely secure. Only three goals conceded in seven games after 23 hits in 14 games a significant improvement. With Sociedad’s home side only able to score nine goals at home (only Huesca has scored fewer goals), in the derby between Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao, the under 2.5 tip with odds of 1.66 is an interesting choice.
Prediction Today: Under 2.5 goals
Odds: 1.66
