Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad: Free Betting Tips and Predictions

18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Begambleaware.org

This preview aims to cover everything from the Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad betting tips to predictions of this highly competitive Basque derby at the San Mames.

Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad Top Free Betting Tips

Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad Match Preview and Insights

The Basque derby is one of the iconic encounters in Spanish football. The rivalry between Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad is something that goes back to 1909. This is a derby which features supporters in a socialising ambience, which is quite rare for a derby game. As a result of both teams staying in the top division for significant periods, the Basque derby is something that manages to grab the attention on a regular basis.

Head-to-head Advantage

Over the years, there have been close to 150 meetings between the two clubs. Unsurprisingly, most of these meetings have taken place in the La Liga. There have also been a handful of Copa del Rey meetings. It is Athletic Bilbao who have a slender advantage in the fixture with more than 50 wins. A substantial number of meetings between the two clubs have finished as a draw. All head-to-head games between Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad have been in the Copa del Rey and La Liga.

Form Preview

Athletic Bilbao

Athletic Bilbao have seen a decline in fortunes in recent years. After having gone through the highs of finishing in the fourth and fifth positions during the 2013-14 and 2015-16 campaigns, the club were almost relegated during the 2017-18 campaign. The sale of stars like Kepa Arrizabalaga has not helped the team and not much of the transfer fee received from the sale of Kepa has been reinvested into the squad. The 2020-21 campaign had not been so kind to Athletic Bilbao, who have registered only a handful of wins in the first half of the season. The club are on course for another disappointing season.

Real Sociedad

Real Sociedad have emerged as a surprise package in the La Liga over the last few years. From being heavily dependent on a handful of players like Carlos Vela in the past, Real Sociedad have now been able to register a string of good seasons under the management of Imanol Alguacil. One of the key areas where Real Sociedad have undergone a massive improvement in the 2020-21 campaign is in the defensive solidarity. After conceding almost a goal per game in previous campaigns, Real Sociedad have set up a stringent defence that has barely given opponents any hope.

Top Betting Tips for Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad

Match result – Real Sociedad win

Real Sociedad will be making the trip to San Mames where the club has had some recent successes. The wins in 2016 and 2018 will be fresh in the minds of Real Sociedad supporters, who have seen the club dominate La Liga in the 2020-21 campaign. Athletic Bilbao are at the other end of the scale as they have been struggling for form. This difference between the two teams is expected to extend further. Even though recent head-to-head meetings between the two clubs has been a tight affair with little to separate in terms of results, this match is likely to be in favour of Real Sociedad – even if it is on the road. The predictions would be to go with a Real Sociedad win, which is at an attractive price of 23/10. This means that a punter will get a payout of £33 with a stake of £10.

Clean sheet – Real Sociedad

Athletic Bilbao have been struggling in front of goal and it has been one of the primary problems in recent years. This is unlikely to disappear overnight and Real Sociedad should be able to capitalise on the same even if the match is likely to be highly competitive at the San Mames. The recent games between Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad have been quite competitive, but the free tips expect the away team to get a comfortable evening. The predictions would be to go for a Real Sociedad clean sheet, which can be backed at 11/10. This will result in a payout of £21 with a £10 stake.

Total goals under 2.5

There would be a lack of goals from Athletic Bilbao, who have been struggling for goals since the departure of players like Aritz Aduriz. Real Sociedad have not set the world alight on fire when it comes to matches at the San Mames. It will be the trend once again even if Real Sociedad are in a good run. The free tips would back total goals under 2.5 at 8/13, which still provides a decent payout of £16.17 with a £10 stake.