Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad tips and predictions: Back hosts to Basque in derby day delight

Basque rivals Athletic Club Bilbao and Real Sociedad are in great form ahead of this weekend’s Basque derby, as both continue to push for the final Champions League spot.

Athletic Bilbao are in the last UCL spot with 38 points. Their rivals from San Sebastián, who are in the knockout stages of the Champions League, are sixth with 32 points.

Athletic will be looking to avenge the humbling 3-0 loss in the reverse fixture with goals from Robin Le Normand, Takefusa Kubo and Mikel Oyarzabal.

In the last four head-to-head games, both teams managed to win twice, each time when they were playing as hosts.

In these four games, there have been 13 goals scored, so plenty of reasons to expect an entertaining game.

Ernesto Valverde’s team are coming into this derby after a series of four consecutive wins in all competitions, all of them with a clean sheet.

Athletic has won six of their last seven games, with the only blemish being a 0-1 loss to Barcelona on October 22.

Real Sociedad has struggled in its last two matches. The team, led by Imanol Alguacil, could only manage a 1-1 draw at home against Alaves, with the equalizer coming in extra time when they were down to 10 men.

Then the white and blue managed a hard-earned win against Malaga in the Cup thanks to an own goal.

Key stats

- Athletic Bilbao are unbeaten since October 22 when they lost 1-0 to Barcelona
- Their only defeats have come against Barca, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid
- Alongside Girona, Bilbao are the joint-top home scorer in La Liga
- Real Sociedad are unbeaten since November 4 when they lost 1-0 to Barcelona

Suggested bets

Athletic Bilbao to win

Over 2.5 goals

• Sergiu Baltuta provides tips as SVB Tips on Tipstrr