Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao Preview

This game brings together two of La Liga’s biggest Basque sides who are fighting to see who will be the region’s top dog this season.

It has been an underwhelming campaign for both of these sides and a win for either side could be the only major achievement they can get with the season drawing to a close.

Athletic who have been the region’s pride for the past few years have been struggling this season.

They have been brilliant at times like in their 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu recently, however, they have also suffered from poor form, losing at home to relegation-threatened Levante and Deportivo La Coruna who both netted 3 goals each against them.

Real Sociedad’s former defender, Inigo Martinez will know he won’t be getting the warmest of welcomes in this game after moving across town in the last transfer window.

Sociedad’s defence has improved since he left which is a credit to their new manager.

Interim manager, Imanol Alguacil has done a great job at the helm, keeping 4 clean sheets in his 5 game in charge so far.

Prior to their shocking loss to Malaga last time out, Sociedad won 3 on the spin and that should give them confidence ahead of this game.

Results of each team’s last 5 matches across all leagues and competitions

Real Sociedad

LAST FIVE GAMES						DATE	COMPETITION
L	Málaga		2-0		Real Sociedad	22 Apr, 2018	Spanish Primera División
W	Real Sociedad		3-0		Atletico Madrid	19 Apr, 2018	Spanish Primera División
W	Las Palmas		0-1		Real Sociedad	14 Apr, 2018	Spanish Primera División
W	Real Sociedad		5-0		Girona	8 Apr, 2018	Spanish Primera División
D	Eibar		0-0		Real Sociedad	1 Apr, 2018	Spanish Primera División

Athletic Bilbao

LAST FIVE GAMES						DATE	COMPETITION
D	Real Madrid		1-1		Athletic Bilbao	18 Apr, 2018	Spanish Primera División
L	Athletic Bilbao		2-3		Deportivo La Coruña	14 Apr, 2018	Spanish Primera División
W	Villarreal		1-3		Athletic Bilbao	9 Apr, 2018	Spanish Primera División
D	Athletic Bilbao		1-1		Celta Vigo	31 Mar, 2018	Spanish Primera División
L	Barcelona		2-0		Athletic Bilbao	18 Mar, 2018	Spanish Primera División

H2H

LAST FIVE GAMES					DATE	COMPETITION
Athletic Bilbao		0-0		Real Sociedad	16 Dec, 2017	Spanish Primera División
Real Sociedad		0-2		Athletic Bilbao	12 Mar, 2017	Spanish Primera División
Athletic Bilbao		3-2		Real Sociedad	16 Oct, 2016	Spanish Primera División
Athletic Bilbao		0-1		Real Sociedad	21 Feb, 2016	Spanish Primera División
Real Sociedad		0-0		Athletic Bilbao	27 Sep, 2015	Spanish Primera División

Other fixtures taking place this week in the Spanish Primera:

Spanish Primera Table

Spanish Primera Results