La Liga | Gameweek 14

Nov 24, 2024 at 8pm UK

San Mames Barria

Athletic Bilbaovs.Real Sociedad

Match preview

Athletic will be going into this game on the back of six straight wins, but they've drawn their last three in the league against Mallorca, Real Betis and Real Valladolid. Their last La Liga win was against Espanyol on October 19.

The Lions will be looking to secure their first victory in Spain's top flight in over a month when they welcome Real Sociedad. However, Ernesto Valverde's side have won twice in the Europa League since then, overcoming Slavia Prague and Ludogorets, and they currently sit sixth in the overall Europa League table.

Athletic are currently sixth in La Liga, with a record of five wins, five draws and three losses from their 13 matches. This has earned them 20 points, putting them just four points behind fourth-placed Villarreal.

The Basque team have picked up 12 points from their seven home league matches this season, but they'll be welcoming a Real Sociedad outfit that's got the fourth-best away record in the division, with 11 points from six matches.

Athletic beat Real Sociedad 2-1 in the corresponding match during the 2023-24 season. They haven't lost at home to their Basque rivals in Spain's top flight since December 2020.

It hasn't been the start to the season that Real Sociedad was hoping for, but La Real is a team that's getting better. They went into the November international break on a high after a big win.

Sheraldo Becker's goal in the 33rd minute gave them a 1-0 win over Barcelona, the league leaders. This result moved them up to eighth place in the table with 18 points from their first 13 matches.

Imanol Alguacil's side are now just two points behind sixth-placed Athletic Bilbao and are in with a chance of getting into Europe. Their defensive record this season has been impressive, conceding just 10 times in 11 league matches, with only Atlético Madrid (seven) letting in fewer at this stage of the season.

On Thursday evening, Real Sociedad were also in action in the Copa del Rey, recording a 5-0 victory over Jove Español to breeze into the second round of the competition.

La Real have now won three of their last four matches in all competitions. They have two huge home fixtures after the Basque derby: they're hosting Ajax in the Europa League and Real Betis in La Liga.

Recent Performance

Athletic Bilbao La Liga form:DLWDDD

Athletic Bilbao form (all competitions):WWDDWD

Real Sociedad La Liga form:WDWLWW

Real Sociedad form (all competitions):WLWLWW

Team News

Athletic have been handed a big boost ahead of this match, with their number one goalkeeper Unai Simon confirming he's now available for selection.

Simon had surgery on his wrist after playing for Spain at Euro 2024, but he's now recovered and is expected to start this weekend.

It looks like Inaki Williams and Oihan Sancet will be back in action after missing the clash with Real Valladolid before the international break. This could be the first time this season that Athletic has a fully fit squad.

Real Sociedad will be without Igor Zubeldia and Orri Oskarsson this weekend, while Martin Zubimendi and Hamari Traore are both ruled out of the Basque derby.

Zubimendi's absence is a big one for the visitors, with the midfielder picking up a muscular problem while representing Spain during the November international break.

Possible starting lineup

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:

Simon; De Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, Boiro; Ruiz de Galarreta, Prados; I Williams, Sancet, N Williams; Guruzeta

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Munoz; Kubo, Mendez, S Gomez, Sucic, Becker; Oyarzabal