Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao H2H: Basque rivals face Saturday night showdown

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One of Spanish football’s biggest local derbies takes place on Saturday as Real Sociedad hosts Athletic Club at the Reale Arena in La Liga. It’s a 21:00 kick-off local time (20:00 in the UK) for a derby that is unique given the friendly nature of the relationship between the two sets of supporters.

Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao H2H: The story so far

There have been 189 competitive meetings between the two clubs.

• Real Sociedad Wins: 61
• Draws: 50
• Athletic Bilbao Wins: 78

Athletic have the edge overall, but the recent history is of more importance when considering the Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao H2H predictions for this match. That’s more in Real Sociedad’s favour and they’ve won the last two meetings at the Reale Arena which will give them confidence as they line up for this match.

Athletic have taken just 2 points from their last 6 league visits to this ground so they won’t be relishing the short trip across the Basque Country this weekend. Their most recent victory here came in 2017 when goals from Raul Garcia and Iñaki Williams sealed a 2-0 win.

That was one of just 5 wins Athletic have recorded in the league over their great rivals in the last 22 meetings and the only one that didn’t come at San Mames.

History in the Making

Real Sociedad are targeting a seventh straight unbeaten home Basque derby against Athletic Club. That would be their best sequence since a nine game unbeaten streak at home in this fixture between 1991 and 2000.

🎙️ @AnderHerrera after #AthleticGetafe

"This is a valuable point. It's hard to win when playing 10 vs 11 for 45 minutes in @LaLigaEN, but we nearly did it."

"It's going to be a tough match against Real Sociedad, but we are ready."#AthleticClub 🦁 pic.twitter.com/QIR72Ym5jS

— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) September 27, 2023

Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao: Last five H2H matches

Athletic Bilbao 2-0 Real Sociedad

The sides last met in April in Bilbao. Both sides were pushing for European qualification but Athletic won the game thanks to a brace from Iñaki Williams who does enjoy a good record in this particular fixture.

Real Sociedad 3-1 Athletic Bilbao

The last meeting in San Sebastian saw a strong First Half performance from the home team prove decisive to extend their good recent record in the Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao H2H. Alexander Sorloth and Take Kubo opened up a two goal lead for the hosts with Mikely Oyarzabal sealing the win on the hour mark from the penalty spot.

Athletic Bilbao 4-0 Real Sociedad

The most one-sided Basque derby in the 21st century came the season before last when Athletic Club ran riot at San Mames. They scored four goals in the space of 21 minutes late in the game to seal local pride.

Real Sociedad 1-1 Athletic Bilbao

The clubs also met in October 2021 with Real Sociedad having the better of the game and taking the lead through Alexander Isak. There was a sting in the tail though as Iker Muniain’s Stoppage Time free-kick sealed a dramatic draw for the visitors.

Real Sociedad 1-1 Athletic Bilbao

1-1 was also the scoreline when the clubs met in La Liga in April 2021. That game also featured late drama with Roberto Lopez’s 89th minute strike cancelling out Asier Villalibre’s goal four minutes earlier.

Iconic Moment

The league meeting in April 2021 came just four days after the Copa del Rey Final. It was the first to have ever been contested between the two Basque rivals. 

Sadly, Covid restrictions meant the match was starved of a big derby atmosphere and it wasn’t a great game but Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty was enough to settle it in Real Sociedad’s favour by a 1-0 margin.

Final Prediction

Home advantage could be key for Real Sociedad here while they were also the team to have rested more players in their midweek match. Athletic are also missing Oihan Sancet to suspension while Nico Williams is unlikely to be fit enough to start so La Real look worthy of their status as favourites.

We’re saying 2-1 to Real Sociedad with Take Kubo to score the first goal.

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