Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
One of the most famous derbies in European football is showcased on Sunday at San Mames as Basque giants Athletic Club and Real Sociedad renew friendlier hostilities.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / USA – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / USA – ESPN+
Athletic Bilbao preview: Frustrated Athletic
Athletic Club have been frustrated so far this season with their nine matches having consisted of three victories, three draws and three defeats with inconsistent performances but, at their best, Edin Terzic is getting some intense and energetic football out of his player.
Their third win of the Liga campaign came last weekend as they hammered Getafe by four goals to nil at San Mames before hammering Prat by six goals to one in the first round of the Copa del Rey in midweek.
Real Sociedad preview: In-form La Real
Having finished last season poorly after winning the Copa del Rey and then starting this season slowly, former Hoffenheim boss Pellegrino Matarazzo is once again getting a tune out of his Real Sociedad side as they push back towards the top four.
La Real made it four wins on the bounce in the league last weekend as they defeated Levante by two goals to one in San Sebastian – making it five wins and a draw in their last six across all competitions since losing to AFC Bournemouth in the UEFA Europa League last month.
Athletic Bilbao team news: Fresh midfield injury
Former Rayo Vallecano midfielder Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta has picked up a hamstring injury and so he is now sidelined with Oihan Sancet working himself back to full fitness.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Hugo Rincon, Dani Vivian, Aitor Paredes, Yuri Berchiche; Mikel Jauregizar, Peio Canales; Inaki Williams, Alex Berenguer, Nico Williams; Maroan Sannadi
Unavailable: Unai Egiluz (Injured), Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta (Injured), Gorka Guruzeta (Injured)
Questionable: Oihan Snacet (Injured)
Real Sociedad team news: Nothing fresh
Ahead of the short trip to Bilbao, Real Sociedad have no fresh injury concerns for this one as defensive duo Luken Beitia and Alvaro Odriozola work their way back to full fitness.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Alex Remiro; Hector Fort, Jon Martin, Sarr, Sergio Gomez; Sucic, Jon Gorrotxategi, Benat Turrientes, Guedes; Mikel Oyarzabal, Oskarsson
Unavailable:
Questionable: Luken Beitia (Fitness), Alvaro Odriozola (Fitness)
Key stats
- The Basque derby could not be closer: 52 La Liga meetings since 1997/98 have produced 18 wins each and 16 draws, with Athletic Club scoring 70 goals to Real Sociedad's 68.
- Athletic Club are unbeaten in their last five home derbies (W4 D1), conceding only twice.
- Athletic Club are W13 D8 L5 in 26 home La Liga derbies since 1997/98.
- Athletic Club are winless in the last three derbies (D2 L1), and Real Sociedad won 3-2 at home exactly a year ago, on 1 November 2025.
- Athletic Club's 4-0 home win on 20 February 2022 is the biggest derby win since 1997/98.
- Coming into Matchweek 11, Athletic Club have 12 points from only eight games, while Real Sociedad are fifth with 19 points from ten.
- Athletic Club are unbeaten in six (W3 D3) since a 2-0 defeat at Barcelona on 27 August, and have kept three consecutive clean sheets.
- Athletic Club have conceded only six goals – the fewest in La Liga – and won 4-0 at home to Getafe last time out.
- Real Sociedad have won four consecutive games since 20 September, and have won their last three away games scoring at least three each time (3-2 at Elche, 3-2 at Valencia, 5-2 at Málaga).
- Real Sociedad have conceded in six consecutive games overall and in 11 consecutive away games since 7 March 2026.
- Real Sociedad have scored 19 and conceded 18 this season, and their games have averaged 3.70 goals.
- Athletic Club have won 134 of their 286 home La Liga games on a Sunday since 1997/98 (W134 D77 L75).
‘Key stats’ are La Liga only (not all competitions)
Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad prediction
Both of these teams showed some fragility at the start of the campaign but they now both face off against each other in a well-timed Basque derby as both sides head into it in good form. What has been apparent in their respective recent games is more efficiency and effectiveness in the final third, too, and so, from a neutral perspective, this one should be a bit of a thriller as the marquee game of the weekend in Spain.
Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad tip: Both teams to score
