Real Sociedad - Athletic Club: Basque battle on friendly terms

This is the Basque derby, a football match between the teams from neighbouring cities Bilbao and San Sebastián. Both cities are located in the Basque Country region of northern Spain, a region of strong local identity. This identity means there is little hostility between the teams and usually a relaxed atmosphere. But make no mistake: This match means a lot!

Sociedad have less rest than Athletic Club in this fixture, as the hosts were involved in a La Liga game only three days ago. That game was an away game at Celta de Vigo, so at least Sociedad are thankful to return home in this one. Game on!

Real Sociedad form and stats

When playing at home in the La Liga, Real Sociedad, who have the most clean sheets (7) in La Liga, have managed 4 wins, 1 draw and suffered 0 defeats from 5 games. Sociedad haven’t lost a league-game in ten attempts regardless of arena, a great achievement. Their last loss was the fixture versus Barcelona, 77 days ago.

It's back home for Sociedad, who return with a good feeling about themselves after beating Celta de Vigo away with the result 2-0. Aritz Elustondo and Alexander Isak found the net in that victory. Mathew Ryan loved the game against Celta de Vigo. With a stunning six saves the goalkeeper played a huge part in the 2-0 victory. The goalie Mathew Ryan was named most valuable player of the team in that game, scoring 8.85 out of ten. Ryan stopped the opponent with six saves and topped it up with a clean sheet.

Preceding that game was the away draw at Atlético Madrid that finished 2-2.

The home team are moderate favourites in this game. How does Sociedad handle that role? We have found ten games in our database similar to this one, based on the home odds. The stats for these games are five wins, three draws and two defeats.

The match schedule is unforgiving for Sociedad as they have a new game in only four days, a Europa League match thankfully also at home. Sturm Graz are visiting.

The goals haven't exactly been flowing for Real Sociedad here at Reale Arena in the league, with less than one goal per game on average (4 from 5 games). Real Sociedad have showed great defending skills in these home games, allowing the opposition to score only 0 goals.

Athletic Club form and stats

The visitors, who have the fewest conceded goals (6) in La Liga, are W1-D4-L0 on the road this term. That's in the La Liga. One point away has become something of a habit for Club who have played out draws in their last three away games.

Club has to pack their bags again for the second away game in a row. Last time they traveled to Espanyol for a La Liga game that ended a draw (1-1). Attacker Iñaki Williams got a player rating of 8.43 in the game. "Man of the match" Williams scored one goal, hit three key passes, dribled past the opponent 1 of 1 times and had 17 successful passes (of 21 total).

Before that, Club secured a home win against Villarreal with the score 2-1.

We have checked recent matches where Athletic Club have had similar odds to win. Win-draw-lose statistics from those five games were zero victories, two draws and three defeats.

Many goals are not expected from the visiting Club as they have only managed to score 3 times from 5 away games in the league. Club are tight as a drum on their travels, having allowed the opposition only 2 goals away.

Head 2 Head

H2H stats regardless of arena (last ten matches): Sociedad six wins, two draws and Athletic Club two victories. As for goals, four matches ended with three or more goals (over 2,5), six games had two or less.

Top Goalscorers

M. Oyarzabal Ugarte 6 goals

A. Elustondo Irribaria 3 goals

I. Williams Arthuer 3 goals

Real Sociedad missing players

Athletic Club missing players