Real Sociedad have had the upper hand in recent Basque derbies, going five games unbeaten against Athletic Bilbao with three victories, and they come into the latest showdown in a rich vein of form.
After a sluggish start to the season, Sociedad are on a five-game unbeaten run and have won their last four matches in La Liga.
That bodes well for a trip to their fierce rivals but Athletic Bilbao are tough to beat at San Mames, where they are unbeaten in four and were emphatic 4-0 winners against Getafe most recently.
However, these derby dust-ups are notoriously tight and although Sociedad sit fifth, seven points ahead of Athletic Bilbao, it could be another evenly-contested encounter.
Athletic Club v Real Sociedad Tips Summary
Best Bet - Under 2.5 goals @ 1/1
Alternative Bet - Mikel Oyarzabal first goalscorer @ 13/2
Bet Builder - Under 3 goals, Mikel Oyarzabal 1+ shots on target & Jon Aramburu to be booked @ 23/4
Athletic Club v Real Sociedad Prediction
Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals @ 1/1
These Basque rivals last met in last season’s Copa del Rey semi-finals, with Sociedad winning 1-0 home and away to book their spot in the trophy decider.
That means that five of the last six competitive meetings have featured two goals or fewer and the low-scoring trend may continue on Sunday.
Sociedad have been involved in some chaotic matches of late but they will be desperate to claim the bragging rights and Bilbao tend to defend resolutely.
Bilbao’s nine league matches have featured a total of just 21 goals and only Atletico Madrid have conceded fewer than their tally of nine, while they have kept three clean sheets in their last four home games.
That includes against Atletico, to give the form some substance, and they should be able to frustrate Sociedad for large periods.
Alternative Bet: Mikel Oyarzabal first goalscorer @ 13/2
In what is expected to be a well-balanced fixture between two in-form teams, it may take a moment of brilliance to separate the sides and Mikel Oyarzabal is the first port of call.
Oyarzabal played a vital role in helping Spain claim World Cup glory in the summer and it is a surprise some bigger clubs didn’t come calling given his performances.
That may have something to do with being 29 years of age but he seems to get better with more experience.
Oyarzabal has scored just two La Liga goals this season but 20 shots in 10 games, featuring nine efforts on target, suggests that he should add to his total sooner rather than later.
The Spanish international has scored in nine of his previous 23 meetings with Bilbao, which includes the only goal of the game in Sociedad’s most recent 1-0 win over them.
Athletic Club v Real Sociedad Bet Builder Tip
- Under 3 goals
- Mikel Oyarzabal 1+ shots on target
- Jon Aramburu to be booked
Pays 23/4
Five of the last six meetings between the two sides have featured two or fewer goals and that low-scoring trend can continue, especially with both teams in decent touch.
Oyarzabal is Sociedad’s star man and has had 20 shots in 10 league appearances this season, nine of which hit the target. He can have at least one effort on goal.
Nobody has committed more fouls in La Liga this season than Sociedad full-back Jon Aramburu, whose eight appearances have seen him make 25 fouls.
He has been booked three times and another yellow can come his way given that he has only recently returned from injury.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
- Five of the last six meetings have gone under 2.5 goals
- Four of the last six encounters featured one goal or fewer
- Sociedad are unbeaten in five matches, winning four times
- Athletic Bilbao are unbeaten in four home games
- Sociedad are unbeaten in five meetings with Bilbao
- Bilbao have kept five clean sheets in their last eight matches
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
