Saturday's La Liga and Serie A predictions and free football tips

Best bets and predictions for Saturday's matches in La Liga and Serie A.

Best bets

Real Sociedad to beat Athletic Bilbao
LaLigaTV, 8pm
1pt 29-20 Betfair

Both teams to score in Lecce v Milan
BT Sport1, 5pm
1pt 19-20 general

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Saturday preview

The Basque derby is one of the most highly anticipated encounters in Spain but this weekend's meeting between Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao has added weight with both sides vying for top-four berths in La Liga.

Real Sociedad are in the box seat to finish best of the rest in Spain and could create some breathing space with victory at the Anoeta.

La Real have looked particularly sharp since returning from the World Cup break, winning both of their Copa del Rey matches and chalking up two wins in La Liga.

They did not concede in any of those four fixtures, shutting out Almeria and Osasuna in the league, and they look capable going forward as well.

Alexander Sorloth is in great form, scoring in each of his side's last three league fixtures, while star creative outlet Mikel Oyarzabal is back after nearly ten months out with a torn ACL.

This will not be a straightforward task for Sociedad but their quality in both boxes should see them over the line.

Athletic Bilbao have been reliant on home performances this year, having failed to win any of their last five games on the road in La Liga. Indeed, their last away league victory came against Elche back in September.

Serie A leaders Napoli slipped to defeat against Sampdoria last week but title-chasing Milan failed to capitalise, conceding in the 87th and 93rd minutes to draw 2-2 with Roma.

That underwhelming league stalemate was followed by a Coppa Italia last-16 exit at the hands of Torino on Wednesday and it is fair to say manager Stefano Pioli is not a happy man.

Pioli demanded that his players spent the night at their Milanello training facilities following the defeat, insisting his players lacked sharpness in the game.

Injuries have plagued Milan recently with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Alessandro Florenzi, Divock Origi and Rade Krunic all spending time on the sidelines and they go into Saturday's clash with Lecce on the back foot.

That said, Rafael Leao continues to impress for the Rossoneri and even if the Italian champions make limited appeal to win the game at short odds-on, they can contribute to a high-scoring encounter.

Mid-table Lecce are exceeding expectations in Serie A and should be fancied to cause Milan a few problems having beaten Atalanta and Lazio recently.

They are by no means free-scoring but they have scored in 12 of their 17 home fixtures in the Italian top flight this term and both teams to score looks a value selection at a shade of odds-on.

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