- Real Sociedad are unbeaten in five, with four wins and a draw.
- Athletic Bilbao have failed to win either of their last two home games against Real Sociedad.
- Athletic Bilbao are 8th in LaLiga 2026/2027 with 12 points from nine games, whereas Real Sociedad are fifth with 19 points from 10 matches.
Athletic Bilbao have the edge in LaLiga 2026/2027
Athletic Bilbao will be looking to improve their form as they play host to their Basque rivals Real Sociedad in a close derby at San Mames on Sunday. Los Leones have had a solid start to LaLiga 2026/2027, with two wins, two draws and just one defeat from five home games, while Real Sociedad come into this having played five games away from home, of which they've won three and lost two.
Edin Terzic has been in charge at Athletic since 1st July 2026 and has installed a high-intensity gameplan with lots of pressing and a preference for breaking quickly on the counter. Robert Navarro has been their main goalscorer in the league this season with two goals in five games, giving them a real edge in transition as Los Leones can transform from their 4-2-3-1 shape into a 3-4-3 in possession.
Pellegrino Matarazzo has been in charge of Real Sociedad since 20 December 2025 and in that time has built a side with more tactical versatility than their hosts. La Real have had a brilliant start to the season and they're the sharper side on paper, but what makes them so interesting is their ability to play with structure and build from the back, press in an aggressive manner and look dangerous on the break when needed.
Real Sociedad arrive in better form
Real Sociedad's Luka Sucic has been their top goalscorer in the 2026/2027 campaign with three goals in seven games, however, his forward runs have made them a real danger between the lines and they come into this in superb form, having won their last three consecutive games.
La Real battered Lillestrom SK 6-0 away from home in the UEFA Europa League - League Phase 2026/2027 last time out before securing a 2-1 home win over Levante in the 2026/2027 LaLiga at the weekend. Their away form in the 2026/2027 season has been good, with three wins and two defeats, and they've scored 12 goals, so they'll be hopeful of getting on the scoreboard at least this Sunday.
Back the visitors to edge out Los Leones
Athletic Bilbao are slight favourites at 53/50 here, with Real Sociedad coming in just behind at 9/4 and the draw priced at 13/5, so it will likely be a close contest in Bilbao on Sunday.
The last meeting was three weeks ago in Friendly Club Matches 2026 and Athletic claimed a 1-0 win away from home, so the derby is all square at one apiece across the last two games. These are two high-pressing sides who like to get men behind the ball, but Athletic look more chaotic and direct in their approach, while Real have more balance in possession and are equally as dangerous in transition.
Los Leones have failed to win each of their last two at home against their Basque opponents, which means the derby edge is still alive and well. Real Sociedad look the more likely to come out on top in this contest and we're backing them to edge out their hosts if they can resist the initial pressure. The under 2.5 angle at 91/100 and Both Teams to Score - No at 21/20 look good bets for a game where the visitors can edge out a victory in a derby that looks likely to be tense and cagey, rather than a shootout.
