Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao Preview: Team News & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
We have the Basque Derby taking place at the Reale Arena in San Sebastian this weekend and it is the final derby of the Imanol Aguacil as Real Sociedad take on Athletic Club in northern Spain.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 4th May, 2025: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 10:00am
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Real Sociedad Preview: The departure of Imanol
Imanol Aguacil, the former youth and B team coach of Real Sociedad, has announced he will be departing the club at the end of this season due to general underperformance throughout this season as they try and push towards the top eight and European qualification.
La Real come into this one on the back of a slender 1-0 defeat to Deportivo Alaves at the Mendizorroza in the Basque Country last week due to a 65th minute strike by Nahuel Tenaglia and they have managed just two victories in their last 12 games across all competitions.
Athletic Bilbao Preview: Humiliation in Europe
In midweek, Athletic Club suffered a humiliation at the hands of Manchester United at San Mames in the first-leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final in a first-half in which Bruno Fernandes notched a brace, Casemiro also scored and Dani Vivian was also sent off.
The Basque giants sit tucked inside the top four and the UEFA Champions League spots in La Liga but Ernesto Valverde’s visitors had put their entire season’s goals and plans into competing in the UEFA Europa League with the final at their home ground later this month.
Real Sociedad Team News: Defensive doubts
Real Sociedad are dealing with a few key defensive injury doubts this weekend as West Ham United loanee Nayef Ageurd is a doubt alongside former Real Madrid right-back Alvaro Odriozola, whilst centre-back Igor Zubeldia is a confirmed absentee.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Alex Remiro; Jon Aramburu, Jon Martin, Jon Pacheco, Javi Lopez; Martin Zubimendi; Kubo, Brais Mendez, Pablo Marin, Sergio Gomez; Mikel Oyarzabal
Unavailable: Igor Zubeldia (Injured), Zakharyan (Injured)
Questionable: Ageurd (Injured), Alvaro Odriozola (Injured)
Athletic Bilbao Team News: Still no Oihan Sancet
Centre-back Dani Vivian will be suspended for the trip to Old Trafford for the second-leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final tie this week but the bigger potential absentee will be attacking midfielder Oihan Sancet, who is dealing with a leg injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Oscar de Marcos, Dani Vivian, Yeray, Yuri Berchiche; Mikel Jauregizar, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta; Inaki Williams, Unai Gomez, Alex Berenguer; Gorka Guruzeta
Unavailable: Oihan Sancet (Injured)
Questionable:
Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction
One of Spain’s most famous and fierce rivalries, Real Sociedad and Athletic Club are set to do battle in a game that doesn’t really matter for either in terms of the league, albeit La Real would like to end the Imanol Aguacil era with some form of European qualification. Athletic will likely be entirely focused on Old Trafford and the potential for something special in Manchester later this week so siding with Real Sociedad, given their home advantage, would seem the best bet.
Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao Tip: Double chance – Real Sociedad to win or draw
