Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad: preview
We have the predictions for the encounter between Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad in the 11th matchday of the 2026/27 Spanish League. "Athletic" is in eighth place, five points from the European competition zone (with one match pending). "Real Sociedad" is in fifth place, one point behind fourth-placed "Betis".
Key points
Athletic Bilbao
"Athletic" will show its style in the derby. Edin Terzić is adapting well, but his game has not fully settled yet: the Basques still struggle with positional play. If the match starts with a counter‑pacing rhythm or manages to score early, "Athletic" in its vertical style is very strong, as we saw in the last round against "Getafe" (4:0). But the previous streak of four matches without a win (three draws and a loss to "Levante"), in which the team either suffered when breaking low blocks or displayed disastrous execution. In the Basque derby there will be plenty of opportunities for quick attacks, so "Athletic" will play in its favourite style. In addition, the Williams squad increases the chances of success.
2. Ruiñó again injured
The main central defender of "Athletic", Iniago Ruiz, injured his patellar tendon in the match against "Getafe". The injury was not serious: Ruiz will miss the next match, but he is already training and will return to the field in two weeks. Oyan Sanet finishes his recovery and will be ready for the derby. The top scorer of the last season, Gorka Guruseta, tore his ligament two weeks ago and is out until the end of the season. His spot in the starting XI was taken by the Moroccan Maruan Sanadi, who finally scored his first goal of the season in the cup match against "Prat" (6:1).
3. "Athletic" can make the difference with corner kicks
"Getafe"
"Athletic" broke (4:0), with three goals from corner kicks. In total, the Basques have already scored four from corners, tying with the best – "Barcelona" and "Betis". "Athletic" itself has not conceded from corners yet, which, besides it, only "Alavés" has achieved. "Real Sociedad" has conceded two, and last season it was the worst team in the league in that aspect, conceding 17 goals from corners. Corner kicks and fouls from "Athletic" with Alex Berenge can make the difference.
Real Sociedad
1. "Sociedad" is good, but has a first test after a long time
"Real Sociedad" recovered after a difficult start, with five wins and only one draw in the last six matches across all competitions. However, serious opponents in this period did not exist: "Levante" and "Valencia" away before the coaching change cannot be considered so. "Real" lost all high‑level matches of the season, beating "Betis" (0:1), "Real" (1:4) and "Athletic" (0:3). But during the unbeaten streak, Pelligrino Matarazzo revitalised Ori Oscarsson and Mikel Oyarzabal, and also formed a new defence – it is better prepared for the next serious test.
2. The new centre‑back and the competition on the attack flanks – Matarazzo updates "Sociedad"
Losses in the "Sociedad" squad are not serious: the injured players are Álvaro Odrioso, who has been out since February for a ligament rupture, and Lucen Beitia – a rotation player. All strong players are ready to play. For the first time in the Basque derby a new combination of central defenders will appear, composed of the 21‑year‑old Mamada Sarr and the 20‑year‑old Hona Martín. They have already proven to be good, although they may lack experience. On the flanks, Matarazzo has a great selection: Gonzalo Gedech and Ander Barrenchea on the left and Luka Sučić, Takefu Kubo and Job Ochieng on the right. In the starting XI will be Gedech and Sučić, but there are enough options to reinforce during the game.
3. "Sociedad" defence allows too many opportunities to opponents
Matches against top teams, where "Sociedad" conceded many times (three against "Athletic", four against "Real") were played more than a month ago. Since then, many things have changed. But even in a six‑match unbeaten run, "Sociedad" left too many goals in its goal‑mouth: 9.53 xG and 16 clear‑goal chances that led to eight conceded goals. "Athletic" with its powerful vertical attack can create serious problems for this defence.
Possible line‑ups
4-4-2 4-4-2 4-4-2 4-4-2 4-4-2
Simo 17 Burchi 14 Lapar 3 Vivien 15 Rincón 10 Williams 28 Canal 24 Gerena 7 Berenge 21 Sanadi 9 Williams 1 Alex 2 Aramburu 19 Sarr 6 Martin 17 Gomez 24 Sučić 18 Soler 4 Gorró 11 Gedech 10 Oyarzabal 9 Oscarsson
Trend bets
In five of the last six matches between "Athletic" and "Sociedad" fewer than three goals were scored. Bet: TM 2.5 at 2.15.
In four of the last six matches between "Athletic" and "Sociedad" only one team scored. Bet: both teams score – No at 2.30.
Forecast
Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad 02.11.2026 00:00
"Athletic" has difficulties at the start of the season with positional attack, while its vertical football remains intimidating – that is how the Basques defeated "Athletic" (3:0) and "Celta" (2:0). "Athletic" is good at corner kicks, scoring four goals and conceding none – a weak point for "Sociedad". Oyan Sanet returns after injury. "Sociedad" recovered after a difficult start, with five wins and only one draw in the last six matches across all competitions. However, serious opponents in this period did not exist, and "Sociedad" lost all high‑level matches of the season, beating "Betis" (0:1), "Real" (1:4) and "Athletic" (0:3). Since then, it has become stronger, with a new combination of central defenders, and the attack has taken shape. But the defence fails: in the last six matches it conceded 9.53 xG and 16 clear‑goal chances. Assume "Athletic" wins at home. Forecast: 2-1
