Real Sociedad are fresh off of winning the 2019-20 Copa del Rey after the original fixture was postponed last spring. The Royal claimed the trophy thanks to a second half penalty, defeating Athletic Bilbao 1-0.
Now, the Basque Derby rivals will meet for the second time in five days. Real Sociedad host Athletic Club at Anoeta seeking a fourth straight win in all competitions against their rivals.
🏆 Este momento. EL momento 💙#Gurekin | #AurreraReala pic.twitter.com/z65NAGF32e— Real Sociedad Fútbol (@RealSociedad) April 4, 2021
🏆 Este momento. EL momento 💙#Gurekin | #AurreraReala pic.twitter.com/z65NAGF32e
Real Sociedad are seventh in La Liga and losers of back-to-back games. They need to finish in the top six if they are to make next season’s Europa League. As it stands, Imanol Alguacil’s team are chasing sixth-place Villarreal in the standings.
Athletic Bilbao are well off the pace for Europa League qualification. They go into the midweek match in 10th place and 11 points behind Villarreal. Marcelino’s team do have another cup final to play this season. They will face Barcelona later this month in the 2020-21 Copa del Rey Final.
The Lions have drawn their last two league fixtures but are winless in three straight La Liga games. Athletic Bilbao have not won at Anoeta since the 2016-17 league season.
Marcelino’s team have won of the worst road points totals in La Liga. They have won just twice on their travels in 14 matches, posting a point total of 11. Their last three away fixtures all ended without wins.
Real Sociedad are unbeaten in five of their last six home games. They have taken 23 points from 42 on offer at Anoeta this season. Draws have been an issue for the club as five of their 14 home matches ended in stalemates.
Alguacil has seen the team draw nine of 28 games in the league while Athletic Bilbao have had eight of their 28 games end in draws. The Royal went to San Mames and defeated Athletic Bilbao earlier this season 1-0 thanks to a goal from Cristian Portu in the first half.
Marcelino has just one name on the injury list going into the match. Oier Zarraga is ruled out until next season with a knee injury. Alguacil has a long list of injuries that includes David Silva, Asier Illarramendi, Luca Sangalli, and Alex Sola. All four players could be passed fit in time for Wednesday night.
Coming off of the cup final, the two clubs may have little left in the tank for the game on Wednesday night.
It should be another low-scoring affair with the match finishing in a score draw. The stalemate will help Real Sociedad in the standings far more than Athletic Bilbao.