- Athletic Bilbao are 8th in LaLiga 2026/2027 with 12 points from 9 games.
- Real Sociedad are 5th in the table with 19 points from 10 matches and are undefeated in their last five (4 wins, 1 draw).
Tight Basque derby awaits at San Mames
Sunday's Basque derby looks likely to go the way of the visiting side, Real Sociedad, based on recent results and the overall form of the two clubs.
Athletic Bilbao are the slight favourites with the bookies at 2.06, but La Real are not far behind at 3.25 and the draw is 3.6. It is probably best to side with the visitors at 3.25 as the odds look generous given their recent results.
Edin Terzic has had a lot of success since taking charge on 1 July 2026 and his 4-2-3-1 system can morph into a 3-4-3 in possession. Los Leones press with high intensity and can break quickly down the middle, but they are a little all over the place at times.
Pellegrino Matarazzo's men, since the Italian took charge on 20 December 2025, have been equally as intense and he has a variety of setups and patterns to mix things up and keep the ball. But La Real are the more balanced side when they have the ball and also have a bit more control in transition.
La Real have been on a roll, winning their last three games coming into this derby - a 6-0 away win over Lillestrom SK in UEFA Europa League - League Phase 2026/2027 and a 2-1 home victory against Levante in LaLiga 2026/2027. Bilbao's last two results were a 3-1 away defeat to Levante in the league and a 4-0 win at home to Getafe in the league - a proper comeback.
Robert Navarro has two goals in five LaLiga 2026/2027 games and will be the most dangerous player on the field for Los Leones because of his pace in transition. Luka Sucic is La Real's top scorer with three goals in seven games, but his runs from the first line of the three make them dangerous between the lines.
Under 2.5 goals at 1.91 and both teams to score - No at 2.05 both pass the test for this game as it is likely to be a tight derby rather than an open shootout. Los Leones have a good home record in 2026-27 with two wins, two draws and one defeat in five games, but Real Sociedad are more likely to win because they are in better form and have the flexibility to switch things up.
