Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao Predictions

• Sociedad have lost seven times at home in La Liga this term
• Athletic have kept four clean sheets in their last six league games
• Mallorca and Sevilla have beaten Sociedad across their last three home league games

Athletic can bounce back

Athletic Bilbao’s season took a huge turn on Thursday with a 3-0 home loss to Manchester United in the Europa League. The club were on course to appear in a home final later this month, but now they’re facing a European exit after that heavy loss.

Athletic meet rivals Sociedad on Sunday knowing this clash is key in their bid to secure fourth place in La Liga. Their Basque rivals are also struggling of late, as Sociedad are winless in three. The hosts have been beaten in three of their last five at home, while they’ve gone 12 games without a clean sheet.

With Athletic facing their return clash with United on Thursday, this is a tricky game to approach. However, the hosts’ look vulnerable enough to oppose here.

Sociedad have lost seven of their 16 home matches this season, while they’ve fallen at home to Sevilla and Mallorca across their last three home league games. The visitors will likely make changes, but they’ve got a solid defensive foundation with four clean sheets in six league outings. Back them to hold firm and edge this clash 1-0.