Real Sociedad vs Athletic Club – Betting Preview
Real Sociedad Summary
Real Sociedad is enjoying a great season so far and will be keen to continue their recent dominance over Athletic Club and get another win.
They start the weekend with a four-point gap ahead of fourth-placed Real Betis after a comfortable 2-0 success over Almeria last weekend. With that victory as Spain’s most in-form with a 100% success record having clocked up six consecutive competitive wins.
The confidence and morale are excellent this season but a loss here would be seen as a potentially heavy blow.
Imanol Alguacil will be delighted to have once-star man Mikel Oyarzabal match sharp and ready to begin this huge Basque derby contest.
Their top scorer Brais Mendez returns from a suspension to further boost their attack.
Ander Guevara is the latest player in the Squad to pick up an injury and will miss out two weeks.
Turrientes, Barrenetxea, and Sola remain out along with potential season-ending injuries to Carlos Fernández, Umar Sadiq, and Merquelanz.
Athletic Summary
Athletic Bilbao was disappointed with the 0-0 draw at home to Osasuna last time out, their second consecutive goalless draw in the league. The previous one however was a good result at fellow top-four chasers Bets.
The host is still in good form and mood, although a loss against bitter rivals here would be a setback in their chase for champions league football. Top four has become a realistic aim for Athletic Bilbao.
Against Basque neighbours Sociedad, the boss Ernesto Valverde is missing only Íñigo Martínez due to an injury. The commanding centre-back is, however, a significant absence.
Vesga has recovered from flu-like symptoms and called up to the squad.
Recent signing Ander Capa is cleared to play. He will become a useful part of the squad, but would not be pushing for a starting berth right now even if 100%.
Betting Analysis
Looking at the 1×2 market first, where the favourite for this game is Real Sociedad @ 2.40. The host is in better form and looks more dangerous going forward in recent games whereas their opponent hasn’t found the net in two. Athletic will be defensively focused and if they score first will be confident of winning, it’s a big ‘if’ however. They can be backed @ 3.30. the draw is priced @ 3.0.
Moving onto the Asian handicap market for this contest. Real Sociedad -0.25 is a slight underdog at an odds-against price @ 2.06. it means a draw would end up losing only half of the stake as a safety net. Athletic +0.25 meanwhile have the draw onside, so a victory produces a full win and the draw pays a half win only @ 1.92
Looking at The Under/Over market last of all which looks very low at 2. Initially opening at 2.25 it soon dropped to 2.0, meaning punters are not confident of an open match. My view is generally to take on such low goal lines but in a hostile Basque derby with stakes high, it could be very ugly and 0-0 or 1-0 either way is often how it pans out.
