Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction: Inaki is the man for the big occasion

Real Sociedad meet Athletic Club (colloquially known as Athletic Bilbao) this Wednesday, March 4 (20:00 GMT, ITV4/X) in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg. La Real won the first leg 1-0 by virtue of a Bennat Turientes winner.

Read on for my Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao predictions complete with the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Takefusa Kubo will be sidelined for the hosts with a hamstring injury. The Japan international is joined in the treatment room by Inaki Ruperez (knee) and Alvaro Odriozola (ACL).

Athletic are without Nico Williams, who is out indefinitely with a pubalgia issue. Centre back Unai Egliuz is training for his full Athletic club debut following a pre-season ACL injury. The youth product spent last season on loan at Mirandes and hopes to make a belated Bilbao bow before the end of the season.

Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Maroan Sannadi, and Benat Prados are also doubts for the visitors.

Defender Yeray Alvarez is serving the final weeks of his ban for a doping violation. The Basque Country international was allowed to train with the first team from February as per the terms of his ban, but is not allowed to feature in matches until April.

Football Odds

Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao Odds

Sociedad are priced at 5/4 for a win on the night and 1/5 to win the two-legged tie. Athletic Club are 2/1 to win this second leg or 10/3 to progress to the final. The draw in 90 minutes (plus added time) is 12/5.

Price Boost: Inaki Williams to score anytime was 3/1 now 7/2

Athletic have been without their talisman for a large chunk of the season. The veteran winger was sidelined from October to December with an adductor issue.

Williams got back to scoring ways in the quarters, where his 96th winner in a 2-1 victory over Villarreal dramatically secured safe passage into this semi-final. The 31-year-old also notched his side’s equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano last Saturday.

Inaki is the man for the big occasion and has delivered time and again in this tournament. Look for the legendary forward to come good again.

Double Chance - Draw or Athletic Bilbao @ 4/6

Even at home, leading by a goal going into a second leg tie is a tricky place to be. Shut up shop and hope for the best? Try and press the advantage? Many teams get caught between these two approaches and slip through the cracks.

Which is why I’ve gone for anything but the La Real win in 90 minutes. Bilbao are away from home and up against it. They’ll throw the kitchen sink at their Basque rivals. It’ll get them a result, even if it doesn’t necessarily push them into the final.

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