Real Sociedad v Athletic Club Preview

At the business end of the 24/25 La Liga season, friction and tension is higher than ever, whilst teams begin to finally set their sites on where they may finalise proceedings when their respective campaigns draw to a close. With just a handful of games remaining in the Spanish top-flight, another intriguing clash has been thrown up as 10th-placed Real Sociedad prepare to lock horns with the high-flying Athletic Club.

Key Statistics

• Both sides have had 13 separate goal scorers in La Liga this season, but the visitors in this clash have scored 18 more overall
• Oihan Sancet will be a miss for the visitors in this fixture, with the midfielder notching 15 league goals to his belt this season before being hit with an injury
• Sociedad's patchy form will be a boost for Athletic, with the hosts winning just two from their last eight league matches
• This match is amongst the final few of Imanol Alguacil's rein at Real Sociedad, with the 53-year-old stepping down at the end of the season

Real Sociedad Preview

Real Sociedad Predicted Lineup: Remiro; Traore, Martin, Elustondo, Munoz, Turrientes, Kubo, Marin, Sucic, Gomez, Oyarzabal Real Sociedad have had a mixed bag out of their 24/25 tribulations. After a slow start to the season saw them sat in 15th after seven matches played, they recovered some fortune by rising as high as sixth, seven games later.

However, inconsistent results and a struggle to carve out a distinct winning formula have seen them flutter all over the mid-table of La Liga, and, with Manchester United bringing an end to their Europa League run in the Round of 16, they'll be hoping to snatch some much-needed results as they sit in 10th position, but only two points away from a potential European qualification.

Injuries haven't helped them in their trials, of course, with Igor Zubeldia, Ander Barrenetxea, Alvaro Odriozola, Arsen Zakharyan, Sheraldo Becker, Nayef Aguerd and Orri Steinn Oskarsson all doubts heading into the weekend clash.

Athletic Club Preview

Athletic Club Predicted Lineup: Simon; De Marcos, Vivian, Alvarez, Berchiche, Jauregizar, R.D. Galarreta, N.Williams, Berenguer, Gomez, I.Williams With one eye likely kept on a clash against Manchester United, the side responsible for Sociedad's dismissal from Europe this season, that comes beforehand, Athletic Club will be hoping to strike another iron in the fire as they march towards Champion's League qualification.

The Basque side currently sit six points clear of 6th place in the league, and will be hoping to avoid any costly mistakes towards their goals with only five La Liga fixtures remaining.

If they get through the test Sociedad will present them with, they'll have to have done it without mercurial midfielder Oihan Sancet. The 25-year-old has fired home 15 goals for Bilbao this season, but a game-ending injury against Las Palmas will likely see him shelved. Author of wing chaos, Nico Williams, was also a doubt, but he is expected to be available.

Real Sociedad v Athletic Club Head-to-Head

The visiting side for this Spanish clash are the team with the advantage in recent history, with Athletic Club winning four of the two team's last eight meetings, including the reverse leg earlier this season. Sociedad have had their arms raised in two of these matches, with shared spoils in the remaining two.

Real Sociedad v Athletic Club Betting Tip

We can see Athletic Club forging a way through what may be a decent enough test from the injury-stricken Real Sociedad. The Basque outfit can pride themselves on a mighty defence, failing to keep a clean sheet from just two of their last eight games in all competitions.

Whilst Sociedad have the home crowd behind them, and hopes galore of rescuing some European prospects for next season, we can see them falling to defeat without a reply in this fixture, with the side losing without scoring themselves on eight occasions since the turn of the new year.

There's some tempting prices floating around with this bet, and you can find it at 4/1 on SkyBet, PaddyPower, bet365, Betfair and BetVictor, meaning a £10 stake returns a profit of £40!

*Odds correct as of 17:03, 01/05/2025, and are subject to change.

**Where to Watch Real Sociedad v Athletic Club: TV and Live Streams

Here is all the information you need to keep up with this interesting Spanish clash.

Television This game will be available on La Liga TV and Premier Sports 2/Extra.

Livestreams This game will be available to livestream through bet365.

Match Information

• Kick-off: 20:00
• Date: Sunday, 4/05/2025

Final Prediction: Real Sociedad v Athletic Club

Real Sociedad 0-1 Athletic Club Athletic Club have been solid in defence, whilst maybe not the most frequent goalscorers around. We can see them grabbing a decisive goal and seeing out a clean sheet.