Moyes’ Sociedad battle Bilbao in Basque derby in La Liga
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Basque Country clubs Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao have started slowly this La Liga season, having won just one match apiece from their opening five fixtures. They now go head-to-head, so a draw, as has happened in their last three meetings, is a decent shout at 21/10 with Coral.
In fact, each of those games ended 1-1, so that scoreline again is an even more enticing 5/1 price.
It is David Moyes’ Sociedad, though, that are perhaps in better form, after beating Granada 3-0 away last time out and they are undefeated against the Lions in six clashes. They are, therefore, the 7/5 match favourites, to thus open up a five-point gap over their rivals.
Striker and clubman Imanol Agirretxe, who started his career in the Bilbao academy, hit a hat-trick in that game against Granada, and is a tempting 6/4 to score anytime once more.
Former Premier League players Carlos Vela and Esteban Granero, meanwhile, are respective 15/8 and 6/1 shouts in the same market.
Bilbao usually finish higher in the table than their neighbours, so are 21/10 to upset the odds and claim a crucial win at the San Sebastian to get their campaign off and running.
Despite only gaining three points so far this term, they have had to come up against the likes of last season’s top six Barcelona, Real Madrid and Villarreal.
But Aritz Aduriz has netted three times this term, and grabbed a goal last season against Sociedad. The sole-capped Spain veteran striker tops his side’s anytime scorer market at 5/4.
Raul Garcia and Inaki Williams are decent shouts at 2/1 and 10/3 respectively.
Former Manchester United and Everton boss Moyes’ position is perhaps not yet under-pressure, but will need to start picking up more points soon and losing to Sociedad’s arch-rivals will do himself no favours.
With difficult fixtures against Malaga away and Atletico Madrid at home coming up, the Scot knows he needs to get something out of this fixture.
Coral’s top tip: Sociedad and Bilbao have drawn 1-1 in their last three meetings, so that scoreline again is an enticing 5/1 price
