As the Basque derby heats up in La Liga, Real Sociedad hosts Alaves on April 11th, and it's shaping up to be a gritty affair. Real Sociedad, sitting comfortably in 7th with 41 points from 30 games, have shown they're no pushovers this season. They've mixed wins and losses lately, grabbing victories against Levante and Osasuna while stumbling against Villarreal and Atletico Madrid. And that recent 1-0 win over Athletic Club could give them a boost.
Alaves, though, are scraping by in 15th place with 32 points from the same number of matches. Their form's been uneven, with a draw against Osasuna and a wild 4-3 win over Celta Vigo offset by defeats to Valencia and Levante. It's clear they're battling to avoid any relegation nerves. But don't count them out; they've had Real Sociedad's number in head-to-head clashes, winning their last three before a 2-3 loss in early April.
That April defeat might sting for Alaves, yet it followed a 1-0 victory back in December. Injuries could tilt things further, with Real Sociedad missing Odriozola until late November and Herrera until mid-April, potentially weakening their defense and midfield. Alaves face their own woes, as Protesoni deals with a muscle injury and suspensions sideline Garcés and Denis Suárez, which won't help their already shaky setup.
Expect Real Sociedad to line up in a 4-2-3-1 with Remiro in goal and Oyarzabal leading the attack. He's been their star, netting 12 goals, while Guedes adds eight more. Alaves might opt for a 4-4-2, but without specific names, it's hard to pinpoint their threats beyond Boyé with 10 goals and Toni Martínez on eight. This regional rivalry often brings extra edge, and Real Sociedad should fancy their chances at home.
I reckon Real Sociedad will edge this one, given their stronger position and recent home form. They're due for a solid performance, and Alaves' absences might leave gaps. So, let's get to the picks—I've got three bets that look promising based on the numbers.
Recommended Bets
Bet 1 @1.75 — Real Sociedad to win; they've got the better form and home advantage, plus they've scored consistently lately.
Bet 2 @2.10 — Over 2.5 goals; both teams have been involved in high-scoring games recently, with Alaves' matches often exceeding this total.
Bet 3 @3.50 — Mikel Oyarzabal to score anytime; as Real's top scorer with 12 goals, he's likely to find the net in a big game like this.
Odds tend to shorten closer to kickoff — lock in value now.
