Comments and predictions for Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao: Drama at Anoeta
The match between Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao in La Liga takes place at 2:00 a.m. on May 5. Nghe An Newspaper analyzes performance, makes football comments and predicts the score.
Latest Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao team information
Real Sociedad will continue to be without Igor Zubeldia, Alvaro Odriozola and Arsen Zakharyan due to injury. Coach Alguacil is likely to stick with the familiar squad, with Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Oyarzabal starting from the start.
Zubimendi is expected to leave the club in the summer, while Oyarzabal is also being pursued by many big teams.
For Athletic, Dani Vivian – despite being suspended for Europe – is eligible to play in La Liga and will start. Goalkeeper Unai Simon, controversially left out of the starting XI against Man United, will return to goal.
However, the team will be without top scorer Oihan Sancet due to a hamstring injury. Nico Williams – although not at his best due to a groin injury – will still be in the starting line-up, possibly his last derby in a Bilbao shirt.
Benat Prados could be brought in to freshen up the midfield, while Gorka Guruzeta and Alvaro Djalo are competing for a starting spot up front.
Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao latest expected lineup
Real Sociedad:
Remiro; Aramburu, Martin, Pacheco, J Lopez; Kubo, Mendez, Zubimendi, Marin, S Gomez; Oyarzabal
Athletic Bilbao:
Simon; De Marcos, Vivian, Yeray, Yuri; Jauregizar, Benat; I Williams, Berenguer, N Williams; Guruzeta
Latest Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao football review
Real Sociedad know the feeling of being eliminated from the Europa League by Manchester United, after a 2-5 aggregate defeat in the round of 16 in mid-March. However, unlike their neighbours Athletic Bilbao, the Basque team is also struggling domestically, finishing 10th in La Liga with 42 points after 33 matches.
Coach Imanol Alguacil will leave the club in the summer, but he remains focused on helping Real Sociedad qualify for Europe. They are currently just two points behind eighth-placed Osasuna and four behind Celta Vigo, who are in the Europa League places.
Despite the chances, Sociedad's form has been disappointing. They just lost 0-1 to Alaves and have only won 1 point in the last 3 rounds, including a home defeat to Mallorca.
As for Athletic Bilbao, the first leg of the Europa League semi-final against Man United turned into a nightmare when they lost 0-3 and also lost key defender Dani Vivian to a red card. The chance of a comeback at Old Trafford is extremely slim.
In La Liga, Bilbao are still firmly in the race for the top four. They are fourth with 62 points, five points ahead of Villarreal and six points ahead of Real Betis. However, the Basque team’s away form is not very impressive – winning just six of their 16 games.
Athletic have beaten Sociedad in both of their last derbies, including a 1-0 win in the first leg this season. However, they last lost 3-0 when they visited the Reale Arena in 2023-24.
Latest Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao score prediction
Based on the above football comments, we and the world's leading football sites have given the results of the match.Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbaoas follows:
- Sportsmole:Real Sociedad 2-3 Athletic Bilbao
- WhoScore:Real Sociedad 1-1 Athletic Bilbao
- Our newspaper predicts:Real Sociedad 1-1 Athletic Bilbao
When and where to watch Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao live?
To watch the live match Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao in La Liga taking place at 2:00 a.m. on May 5, viewers can watch onK+ Sport,K+PMor online sports channels. Wish you have fun watching football.