Athletic Bilbao-Real Sociedad is a match valid for the 20th day of La Liga and is played Saturday at 6:30pm: TV, lineups and predictions
An away win at the Sevilla ground in the first La Liga fixture in 2024 allowed Athletic Bilbao to retake fourth-place Atletico Madrid and dream big for the second half of the season. The Basques are having a stellar season and now they want to continue in that vein. Against Real Sociedad the goal is double.
Not only the chance to stay fourth on their own, because Simeone’s men are involved in the Super Cup anyway and will therefore skip this round, but also to stretch against a direct contender for qualification to the next Champions League. So Athletic will give everything, and even something more, to be able to take these three points that could even prove decisive. On the other side in mind has a completely different idea Alguacil’s formation: which, however, with the league draw that came at home against Alaves, has distanced itself a little from the others. Now, anything is possible, of course, the league has just passed the halfway mark, but a victory on a very difficult field would be needed. Yes, even a draw might not be enough to stay in the race.
The prediction
While the guests, on the one hand, absolutely need a win, on the other hand Athletic is serene and might even be content. Read that right, though: could. And we have a feeling that Valverde’s team won’t exactly be content as they will try hard to get the win and might even be able to take it in the end. Challenge of at least one goal per team. With affirmation of the hosts.
The likely lineups of Athletic Bilbao-Real Sociedad
ATHLETIC BILBAO (4-2-3-1): Simon; Lekue, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche; Ruiz, Vesga; Williams, Sancet, Berenguer; Guruzeta.
REAL SOCIEDAD (4-4-2): Marrero; Traore, Zubeldia, Le Normard, Tierney; Kubo, Zubimendi, Merino, Mendez; Andre Silva, Oyazarbal.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
