The 22nd round match of the La Liga between Athletic Club and Real Sociedad will take place on 1 february at San Mamés stadium in Bilbao. Athletic Club vs Real Sociedad: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Athletic Club
Athletic Club are still going through very difficult times. Last week the club lost away to Sevilla (1:2), and now the side's winless run in the Primera stands at 5 matches. Four of those five games ended in defeat. Over the last 18 rounds the team has managed just 4 wins. As a result, Athletic Club have slipped to 14th place in the table. The current gap from the relegation zone no longer allows the side to feel safe, as only 3 points separate the club from 18th place.
- The club conceded in 6 of their previous 8 La Liga home matches.
- The home side's uncompromising run in this competition lasts 6 matches (3 wins, 3 defeats).
- At least 2 goals have been scored in 5 of Athletic Club's league games.
Potential Athletic Club Lineup (4-2-3-1)*
Unai Simón – Jesús Areso, Dani Vivian, Aitor Paredes, Yuri Berchiche – Mikel Hauregisar, Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta – Robert Navarro, Oihan Sancet, Alex Berenguer – Urko Iseta.
Forward Gorka Guruzeta will return from suspension, while defender Iñigo Lekue is still serving his ban. Injuries rule out defenders Dani Vivian and Unai Etx?lus, midfielders Oihan Sancet and Beñat Prados, and forward Maroan Sannadi.
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad's results have been heavily affected by a recent change of head coach. Since the appointment of Pellegrino Matarazzo the club has not lost in any of the last four La Liga matches. First the side drew with Atlético Madrid (1:1), and then recorded three consecutive wins — the best stretch since march 2024. Last week Real Sociedad beat Celta (3:1) despite playing a whole half with ten men. Overall the club's unbeaten run in the league has reached 5 matches (3 wins, 2 draws). Thanks to this surge Real Sociedad rose to 8th place in the table, although not long ago they were 16th. Notably, Pellegrino Matarazzo was chosen as La Liga's best coach for january.
- Both teams scored in 6 of Real Sociedad's previous league matches.
- At least 2 goals were scored in 7 of the club's last 8 games in this competition.
- Real Sociedad have conceded in 15 La Liga matches.
Potential Real Sociedad Lineup (4-4-2)*
Alejandro Remiro – Duje Caleta-Car, Jon Martin, Jon Aramburu, Aihen Muñoz – Jon Gorrochategi, Gonçalo Guedes, Beñat Turrientes, Ander Barrenetxea – Luka Sucic, Mikel Oyarzabal.
Midfielder Carlos Soler served a suspension, but defender Duje Caleta-Car is now unavailable due to the red card in the last match. Midfielder Yangel Herrera has recovered from injury. Forward Takefusa Kubo is sidelined with health problems.
Referee
Guillermo Cuadra (Spain)
Matches – 10 (La Liga, 2025/26);
Yellow Cards Shown (Including Second Yellows) – 47;
Average Yellow Cards Per Match – 4.7;
Red Cards Shown – 2;
Fouls Per Match – 24;
Penalties – 30%.
Athletic Club vs Real Sociedad: Match Prediction
Athletic Club have been depressing with their results for a long time, and at the moment the club are experiencing arguably the worst stretch of the current season. The side have not won in 5 La Liga matches, collecting only 1 point from a possible 15 during that run. The problems have been ongoing since early autumn — after a lively start Athletic Club managed just 4 wins in the last 18 rounds of the championship.
Real Sociedad also struggled in the first half of the season, but now everything is changing very quickly. The club's unbeaten run in the Primera has already reached 5 matches (3 wins, 2 draws). In four rounds with new coach Pellegrino Matarazzo the side drew with Atlético Madrid and then put together a run of 3 wins, including a victory over Barcelona (2:1). As a result, Real Sociedad have regained confidence and fully re-entered the fight for a European place.
It is quite likely that the inspired visitors will again secure at least 1 point.
Prediction: Real Sociedad Double Chance
* The starting lineup shown for each team is from its previous match in this competition.
