Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad
Spanish La Liga.
Date: Sunday, 16th October, 2016
Kick-off: 15:15 UK.
Venue: San Mames, Bilbao.
Athletic Bilbao snapped a four-game winning run after falling to lowly club Malaga on the road at the La Rosaleda Stadium on Oct. 2, as per ESPN.
Resident striker Aritz Aduriz scored at the third minute of the match to give the early lead to Athletic Club, but teammate Mikel Balenziaga was booked for a straight red card in the 36th minute for violent conduct. Balenziaga was sent off and Los Leones were left with a 10-man squad.
Head coach Ernesto Valverde's men continued to fight despite the one-man disadvantage and had kept Malaga scoreless almost the whole game. However, Los Boquerones were able to net two goals late in the match, in the 82nd and 83rd minutes courtesy of Sandro and team captain Duda respectively, to snatch away the win and three points in the standings.
Athletic Club is now at the sixth spot of the league table after the loss, their third in the season.
Meanwhile, Real Sociedad nipped lowly team Real Betis, 1-0, at their home field of Anoeta Stadium on Sep. 30 for their third win this term, the Business Standard reported.
After a goalless first half of play, Mexican striker Carlos Vela netted the lone goal of the contest in the 63rd minute with a close-range left-footer from a cross by teammate Mikel Oyarzabal.
Both sides went scoreless for the rest of the match as Txuriurdin earned their second win in three games.
Head coach Eusebio Sacristán's team has been inconsistent in their past few games, winning three, losing two, and being held to a draw in their last six matches.
Head To Head
Real Sociedad are unbeaten in 8 matches against Athletic Bilbao now. They won 1-0 here last season. There have been under 2.5 goals in all of the last 6 meetings.
Stats
Athletic have only conceded more than 1 goal in just 1 of their last 16 home matches in all competitions. There have been under 2.5 goals in 7 of Real Sociedad's last 11 games.
Team News
Balenziaga is suspended after his red card at Malaga. Ager Aketxe and Boveda are injured but it should be close to Athletic's strongest eleven here with Aritz Aduriz up front.
Real Sociedad still have a few long-term injury problems with Yuri, Carlos Martínez, Toño and Agirretxe all still out. Eusebio Sacristán isn't likely to make many changes to the side that beat Malaga last time out with Carlos Vela and Willian Jose providing the main goal threat.
Athletic Bilbao: Predicted Line-Up (4-2-3-1)
Iraizoz: Enric, Alvarez, Laporte, Xabier: Rico, San Jose: Sabin, Garcia, Williams: Aduriz
Real Sociedad: Predicted Line-Up (4-3-3)
Rulli: Zaldua, Navas, Martinez, Litri: Prieto, Illaramendi, Zurutuza: Vela, Willian, OyarzabalsAthletic
Bilbao vs Real Sociedad: Bet Tips
Bilbao to win at 1.90 (9/10)
Over 2.5 goals at 2.30 (13/10).
