Athletic Bilbao take on the visitors Real Sociedad in the round 14 match of Spanish LaLiga. The match will be played on Sunday, November 24th at Estadio San Mamés (Bilbao).
Athletic club aiming to stay at the top. The Basques have finally hit their stride. Ernesto Valverde's return was met with high expectations in Bilbao, and his work has started to pay off. Last spring, Athletic not only secured 5th place in La Liga but also ended a 40-year drought by winning the Copa del Rey. Their success has extended into the current campaign, especially in the Europa League, where they’ve impressed with a strong run: a draw away to Roma followed by three consecutive wins. In La Liga, they’ve only lost three times — against Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and Girona — showing their competitiveness even against top teams. However, they’ve recently fallen into a pattern of draws, splitting points in three consecutive matches. Despite this, Athletic entered the international break in 6th place with 20 points, a solid position.
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Real Sociedad has enjoyed several successful seasons under Imanol Alguacil, including a Copa del Rey triumph in a final against Athletic. They’ve also achieved Champions League qualification, finishing 4th in La Liga in 2023. However, juggling European commitments has taken its toll. This season, Sociedad has struggled for consistency. In the Europa League, they’ve managed just 4 points from 4 matches, with a win over Maccabi Tel Aviv and a draw against Nice, offset by defeats to Anderlecht and Viktoria Plzeň. In La Liga, they’ve shown a lackluster form, scoring and conceding at a rate of less than one goal per game. That said, their most recent match was a notable 1-0 victory over Barcelona, showcasing their potential to rise to big occasions.
In the last five meetings, the home team has always come out on top, with each side dominating on their respective grounds. Athletic has all the momentum and the advantage of playing at San Mamés, where they are particularly strong. Real Sociedad’s inconsistency, especially away from home, makes them the underdogs in this Basque derby. Inaki Williams and Nico Williams are key players to watch for Athletic, particularly in transition play, as their pace could exploit Sociedad’s defensive structure. Sociedad’s defensive resilience was evident in their victory against Barcelona, but their attacking output has been underwhelming, which could hinder their chances in this derby.
Prediction for the match: Athletic Club to win.
