JAKARTA - A classic fight full of prestige was again presented on Basque land when Real Sociedad hosted Athletic Bilbao at the Reale Arena, Saturday night November 1 Spanish time. The two teams who both came from this northern region brought a different story in La Liga this season: Sociedad is still struggling to get out of the lower zone, while Athletic tries to keep her hopes up to the top.
The 2025/26 season has not gone as expected for Real Sociedad. Of the 10 matches, they have only collected 9 points (2 wins, 3 draws, 5 losses) and are now sitting in 17th position in the La Liga standings. However, there are signs of a revival. In the last three matches in all competitions, Sociedad managed to win two wins, including an important 2-1 win over Sevilla last week in the league, and continued with a convincing 3-0 result over Negreira Elementary School in the Copa del Rey.
Sergio Francisco, the coach, seems to be starting to find a missing rhythm of the game. He hopes two games before the international break against Athletic and Elche can be a momentum to boost the team's morale.
Sociedad does have a long history of facing Athletic: from 171 meetings, La Real won 59 times and lost 68. However, from the last five duels, they have only won once. A similar match last season at the Reale Arena ended without a goal, 0-0.
Athletic Bilbao: Solid Behind, Blunt In Front
Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao came to the derby not too bad but also not impressive. Last week's 0-1 defeat to Getafe saw them drop to ninth in the standings with 14 points from 10 matches.
kolo Valverde's team is known to be disciplined and difficult to penetrate just conceded 10 goals so far but dragged productivity ahead by scoring only 9 goals. They did appear quite consistent in Europe with a 3-1 win over Qarabag in the Champions League, but in the league, their performance is still inconsistent.
Interestingly, Athletic has never won over Sociedad at the Reale Arena since March 2017. Two of their last three victories at the derby actually took place in San Mamés.
Real Sociedad is still missing three important players due to injury: Orri Oskarsson, Jon Karrikaburu, and Yangel Herrera. Inaki Ruperez is also doubtful. However, good news came from the return of Mikel Oyarzabal, the captain and top scorer of the team with four goals this season. Francisco is predicted to field the best squad after making a big rotation in the Copa del Rey.
Athletic Bilbao also comes with a absence issue. Yeray Alvarez and Inigo Lekue had to be absent due to suspension with Yeray only being able to play again next April due to failing a doping test. In addition, Benat Prados, Unai Egiluz, and Inaki Williams also cannot be lowered due to injury. Aymeric Laporte is still in doubt of his condition.
IT is not expected that Valverde will do much surprise in his line-up. Gorka Guruzeta remains at the spearhead, while Nico Williams will rely on speed from the wing side.
Derbi Basque has always been a place for prestige and high tension. Both teams are both looking for stability, and with injury problems and limited productivity on the front lines, this match is predicted to run tight and full of physical duels.
As last season, the draw appears to be the most realistic scenario one point for each camp in the derby which is confirmed to remain hot and emotional at the Reale Arena.
Estimated Lineup:
Real Sociedad (4-2-3-1): Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Martin, Gomez; Guedes, Mendez; Gorrotxategi, Soler, Barrenetxea; Oyarzabal
Athletic Bilbao (4-2-3-1):Simon; Areso, Paredes, Vivian, Berchiche; Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar; Berenguer, Sancet, N. Williams; Guruzeta
Score Prediction: Real Sociedad 1-1 Athletic Bilbao
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