Athletic Club vs Real Sociedad Preview
The game between Athletic Club and Real Sociedad is a clash of two Spanish teams on the rise. Coached by Ernesto Valverde and Imanol Alguacil respectively, the two teams have played some lovely football so far this season to bring them where they stand currently.
Athletic Club are the better off of the two, currently sitting in fourth place with 38 points from their 19 games so far. The majority of the credit for their recent climb up the La Liga table has been their recent run of form, wherein they won four and drew two of their last six league games. This has allowed them to overtake Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid, who made a fairly decent start to the campaign themselves.
The Basque club are one win away from going level on points with Barcelona, who are third with 41 points. While there is little hope of catching frontrunners Real Madrid and Girona, both on 48 points, a win would give Athletic Club some much-needed hope.
Real Sociedad, on the other hand, have trailed off after making a strong start. Since November, however, they have been unable to replicate their Champions League form domestically. They are currently sixth in La Liga with 32 points from 19 games. Sociedad are also the lowest-scoring side in the top six with just 30 goals scored, highlighting their reliance on their solid defence for earning results. Their recent run of form is a testament to this slump, wherein Alguacil’s men have won one and drawn four of their last five games, scoring just five goals in the process.
A win would help Real Sociedad climb up the table and get that little bit closer to re-entering the top-four race.
Athletic Club vs Real Sociedad Team News & Probable Lineups
Athletic Club
Athletic Club will be without three players for their game against Sociedad. Defender Yeray Alvarez remains sidelined due to an adductor injury picked up early in October, while midfielder Dani Garcia is out nursing a hamstring injury. Forward Inaki Williams remains ineligible as he is away representing Ghana at the African Cup of Nations.
Meanwhile, Inigo Ruiz Galarreta and Aitor Paredes are at risk of suspension, both having picked up four yellow cards in La Liga so far this season.
Probable XI: Unai Simon (GK), Inigo Lekue (C), Daniel Vivian, Aitor Paredes, Yuri Berchiche, Ander Herrera, Benat Prados, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams, Iker Muniain, Gorka Guruzeta.
Real Sociedad
Sociedad are also dealing with injuries to two key players. Striker Andre Silva will likely miss the game after picking up a calf injury during training before his team’s 1-0 win over Malaga. Winger Martin Merquelanz remains a long-term absentee, having been sidelined since 2021 with a knee injury.
Two players will miss out due to national duties for their respective countries. Nigerian forward Umar Sadiq has been called up for the AFCON, while talismanic Japanese winger Takefusa Kubo has been called up for the AFC Asian Cup.
Midfielder Mikel Merino is the only player at the risk of suspension as he has accumulated four yellow cards in 16 games so far.
Probable XI: Alex Remiro (GK), Hamari Traore, Igor Zubeldia, Robin Le Normand, Kieran Tierney, Martin Zubimendi, Brais Mendez, Mikel Merino, Mikel Oyarzabal (C), Ander Barrenetxea, Arsen Zakharyan.
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Athletic Club vs Real Sociedad Head-to-Head & Prediction
- Both Athletic Club and Real Sociedad are unbeaten in their last seven league games, and both suffered their last league defeat against the same opposition – FC Barcelona.
- Athletic Club have won their last three home matches in a row without conceding.
- Real Sociedad’s last nine matches have resulted in less than 3.5 goals.
- Athletic Club have the third-best defensive record in La Liga, allowing just 1.0 goals per game, while Sociedad have the sixth-best scoring rate at 1.6 goals per game.
Head-to-Head
- The home team has won each of the last five meetings between the two clubs, with Athletic Club winning thrice to Real Sociedad’s two wins.
- Both teams have won four apiece in the last 10 league meetings, with two 1-1 draws being the other results.
- The away team has scored less than 1.5 goals in each of the last 10 league meetings between the two teams.
Prediction: Athletic Club 2-1 Real Sociedad
Athletic Club vs Real Sociedad Betting Tips & Odds
Betting Tips
- Both teams to score in the first half: Yes.
- Athletic Club to win.
- Total goals: Under 3.5.
Odds
- Athletic Club to win: 2.05
- Draw: 3.50
- Real Sociedad to win: 4.00
Athletic Club vs Real Sociedad Top Players to Watch
Athletic Club
With Inaki Williams out, his brother Nico Williams will be in the spotlight and will be expected to put in a shift to help his team win. The winger has been a crucial source of assists for the Basque club, providing eight assists along with bagging three goals in 16 La Liga appearances so far. Seeing that Athletic likes to attack from wide areas, Nico Williams’ role will be crucial in the next couple of weeks, starting from Saturday.
Real Sociedad
Sociedad, too, will make the trip to the Basque country without their star player Takefuso Kubo, who has been a key member of the team this season with his six goals and three assists. However, captain Mikel Oyarzabal will be expected to step up and will likely start in a central role, much like he did in Sociedad’s game against Malaga in Copa Del Rey earlier this week. With seven goals and one assist so far this season, the Spaniard will need to be at his best to help his team.
Athletic Club vs Real Sociedad Timings & Telecast
- Date & Time: Saturday, 13th January (11 PM IST).
- India: Sports18, Jio Cinema App.
- UK: Viaplay, ITV Sports.
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