Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad Prediction & Betting Tips - LaLiga

Prediction published on 13/04/2023, 14:15  by Devesh Jaganath in LaLiga Predictions

Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad will continue their search for European Cup qualification spots when the pair meet at San Mames Barria in La Liga on Saturday afternoon. The visitors currently hold the fourth and final Champions League qualification spot in La Liga, with 51 points after 28 matches, six points behind Athletico Madrid in third place and four points above Villareal, who are the first side outside the top four. Real Sociedad have had a slight dip in form in recent weeks but came away as 2-0 winners in their last match against Getafe last week, which was just their second win in their last six matches, to go with two draws and two losses. Their away record this season has been marginally better than their home record, picking up 26 points in 14 matches, including eight wins, two draws, and four losses. Despite their relatively good work on the road, Real Sociedad comes into this match having not won any of their last three away matches, drawing one and losing the other two. The visitors won the reverse fixture 3-1 back in January and will be hoping that they can complete the double over their hometown rivals as they try to open some daylight between themselves and the sides below them. 

Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao are still firmly in the hunt for a Conference League qualification spot, currently placed seventh in the league with 40 points, just five points behind Real Betis in sixth place. Like their opponents, Athletic Bilbao won their last fixture 2-1 against a struggling Espanyol side to extend their recent good run to three matches without defeat, including two wins and a draw. However, their home has taken a dip in recent weeks, failing to win any of their last three matches at home while producing a record of six wins, three draws, and five losses in 14 matches at San Mames Barria this season. While the hosts did lose the last encounter between these sides, they have actually been very competitive in this fixture and were unbeaten in their last four matches against this opposition prior to their loss in January. They also won their last two home matches against Real Sociedad and, on that basis, will fancy their chances of earning what would be a valuable three points in this one.