- Team form: Real Sociedad are unbeaten in 5 with 4 wins and 1 draw.
- Opposition form: Athletic Bilbao have won 2, drawn 2 and lost 1 of their last 5.
Basque derby is a battle of pressing, pressing, and more pressing
Form and motivation
Real Sociedad have the better form and are probably a better side than Athletic Bilbao, but the hosts will be very motivated to get one over their local rivals on Sunday.
Los Leones are 8th in LaLiga 2026/2027 with 12 points from their first nine games, so chasing down the European places is a realistic aim for the current campaign, but they are not setting the pace.
Last time out, Edin Terzic's side, who have played with a real gegenpress style since the Croatian took over on 1 July 2026, suffered a 3-1 defeat away to Levante in the league, but they bounced back in a big way last weekend when beating Getafe 4-0 at home.
Tactical battle
It will be interesting to see how Athletic's 4-2-3-1, which can change into a 3-4-3 when in possession, handles the different tactical approaches of their local neighbours.
Pellegrino Matarazzo, who has been in charge at the helm of Real Sociedad since 20 December 2025, has moulded La Real into a flexible football side that can build from the back or press with intensity and then run on to quick breaks when they win the ball back high up the field.
La Real’s form and freshness gives them an edge
This looks like a very tight Basque derby between two teams that like to press and play with high intensity, but Real Sociedad's current form and fresher legs gives them the edge in this matchup if they can hold up against Athletic's pressing.
La Real are 5th in the LaLiga 2026/2027 standings with 19 points from 10 games, making them a sharper side on paper.
- They have won 3, lost 2 and scored 12 away goals in 5 road games and should have enough momentum to see this out.
- Robert Navarro is Athletic's current top scorer in the competition with 2 goals in 5 appearances and gives them a real cutting edge in transition, while Luka Sucic is La Real's top scorer in the 2026/2027 season with 3 goals in 7, but his forward runs and ability to keep the ball keep his team dangerous between the lines.
- Athletic Bilbao are the slight favorites at 2.06 for this clash, but there's some value to be found by siding with Real Sociedad at 3.25, while the draw is 3.6.
- The under-2.5 angle at 1.91 and both teams to score – No at 2.05 both look good for a derby that should be close, but not a goal bonanza.
