Ath Bilbao – Real Sociedad SOCCER PICKS
Athletic Club and Real Sociedad meet in San Mamés Barria, in a match for the 8th round of the First Division. The record of direct matches played in this stadium indicates total balance between these two teams, since there were 3 draws and 1 win for each team in the last 5 matches. Indeed, the last time these two teams met at this stadium was on 12-16-2017, for the First Division, which ended in a draw for (0-0). The Real Sociedad presents considerable differences in its results at home and as a visitor, so in this game the home factor may be decisive.
Athletic Club:
The home team is currently in the 14 th position of the league, with 7 points won, after 1 win, 4 draws and 1 loss. In the penultimate match, they lost in a home match against Villarreal, by (0-3). In the last match, they tied it away against Barcelona by (1-1). This is a team that usually maintains its competitive level in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 5 wins, 3 draws and 7 losses in away matches; against 5 wins, 4 draws and 6 losses at their stadium. In the last 4 home matches for the championship Athletic Club has won 1, tied 2 and lost 1, for which they have won 5 points out of 12 possible.
For this competition, they have not won any of the last 5 games. They have not been very strong defensively, since they have suffered at least one goal in each of the last 6 matches, but their offense has scored frequently, since they have scored goals in 5 of the last 6 matches for this competition. There are 2 periods that stand out in the last 5 home matches for all competitions: they have suffered 3 of their 7 goals between minutes (61′-75 ‘) and 3 of their 7 goals between (76′-90’).
Athletic Bilbao arrived at this motivated day, after having added a 1-1 draw in the field of Barcelona: the only goal of the team was scored by Óscar de Marcos. In this reception to the Real Sociedad, the coach Eduardo Berizzo must maintain the usual tactical design, that is to say, the 4-2-3-1, being Iñaki Williams the most offensive reference of the team: this player is very powerful and exempt to the time to finish. For this match the local coach does not have Martinez and Lekue, both injured.
Real Sociedad:
After 2 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses, the away team is currently in the 11 th position of the league, with 8 points won. In the last match, they lost in a home match against Valencia (0-1), after in the previous match they tied at home, against Rayo Vallecano, by (2-2). This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 4 wins, 4 draws and 7 losses in away matches, with 13 goals scored and 17 conceded; against 8 wins, 2 draws and 5 losses at their stadium, with 35 goals scored and 19 conceded. For the league, Real Sociedad won 7 points out of 12 possible points, after 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss in the last 4 matches they played as visitors. They have not been very strong defensively, since they have suffered goals in 6 of the last 7 matches, but their offense has scored frequently, since they have scored goals in 6 of the last 7 matches for this competition.
The Real Sociedad starts for this game with a defeat, by 0-1, in the reception to Valencia. Of note that the visitors did not lose anymore, there were two consecutive matches in the Spanish championship. In this visit to Athletic Bilbao, coach Asier Garitano must use a more cautious strategy, with a low block, exploring any space to apply the attack. The Brazilian Willian José is one of the highlights of the visitors, being the best score, with 3 goals scored. For this game the coach has the absences of Theo Hernández and Juanmi, suspended, in addition to Llorente, Janujaz and Zaldua, these with physical problems.
