Real Sociedad vs Athletic Club Prediction, preview, team news and lineups 04.05.2025

• Date and Time: Sunday, May 4, 2025, 21:00 GMT+1
• Venue: Reale Arena, San Sebastián-Donostia, Spain

Real Sociedad vs Athletic Club Preview and Team News

Real Sociedad Team News

Real Sociedad announced the exit of head coach Imanol Alguacil at the end of the season. He’s managed the club for several years. This was broadcast last week in a press conference. Rumours have linked him to Saudi clubs. The decision surprised players, with Igor Zubeldia saying that ‘nobody expected it’.

The squad sit tenth in La Liga, winless in their previous three matches. The last two seasons witnessed a ‘plateau’ under Alguacil, which is perhaps why he decided to leave. 

Zubi ➕ Oyar = 💙#RealSociedadAthletic pic.twitter.com/dLO534QzXh

— Real Sociedad 🇺🇸 🇬🇧 (@RealSociedadEN) May 2, 2025

The club struggled to find a striker after Isak left, leaving the team without a reliable scorer in the box. Players like Mikel Oyarzabal and Brais Méndez, who were key in the final third, have also had trouble scoring. 

On the other hand, Real Sociedad have battled in the defence. They lack physical, pacey defenders and have conceded many chances. They’re not out of the race for European spots, only 2 points behind Osasuna. 

However, a demanding schedule, which includes Atlético de Madrid, Celta Vigo, and Real Madrid in the last five matches, makes it unlikely.

Álvaro Odriozola, Arsen Zakharyan, and Orri Oskarsson will be sidelined due to injuries. Igor Zubeldia and Nayef Aguerd are waiting for medical clearance.

Real Sociedad Predicted Line-up vs Athletic Club

Real Sociedad Predicted line-up vs Athletic Club (4-1-4-1): Remiro; López, Pacheco, Martin, Aramburu; Zubimendi; Gómez, Méndez, Marin, Kubo; Oyarzabal.

Athletic Club Team News

Athletic Club’s European Dream took an abrupt turn when they lost 3-0 to Manchester United at San Mamés in the first leg. It was influenced by Dani Vivian’s red card in the 37th minute. In addition to that, Oihan Sancet’s injury forced Valverde to change plans. 

Although both teams had their chances in the second half, Athletic could not fight back against Man United with ten men.

🧣 5⃣1⃣,8⃣9⃣0⃣ Athleticzales that cheered on their team until the very end.

This doesn’t end here. We won’t stop believing.#AthleticMUFC #UniqueInTheWorld 🦁pic.twitter.com/pNkecZdsKe

— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) May 1, 2025

Athletic Club are likely to play in the Champions League. They sit fourth in La Liga, five points ahead of Villarreal. The squad have only conceded one defeat in their previous five games. It was a 1-0 defeat against Real Madrid that they conceded in additional time.

Oihan Sancet remains out with an injury.

Athletic Club Predicted line-up vs Real Sociedad

Athletic Club Predicted line-up vs Real Sociedad (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Berchiche, Álvarez, Vivian, de Marcos; Jauregizar, de Galarreta; N. Williams, Berenguer, I. Williams; Sannadi.

Real Sociedad vs Athletic Club Prediction

• Prediction: Athletic Club to win
• Odds: 3.14 (22Bet)
• Score Prediction: Real Sociedad 0-2 Athletic Club

The Basque Derby has traditionally been one of the most entertaining derbies of the league, with both sides famous for their pro-Basque recruitment approach. Although Athletic Club have just lost 3-0 and will be without Sancet, they could claim another victory as they’ve played at a higher level this season.

The visitors have a better record in the derby. From 192 events, they’ve won 80 matches, while Real Sociedad claimed 62 victories. 

The hosts have not won in two years, which ended in a 3-1 victory at Anoeta. Athletic won the previous two encounters, both in 2024.

Real Sociedad vs Athletic Club Betting Tip

• Pick: Nico Williams to score
• Odds: 5 (22Bet)

Sancet would have made the list as the team’s most influential player, but Nico Williams is another candidate in his absence. The forward’s pace has regularly been an issue for Real Sociedad in derbies. Imanol Alguacil’s squad lacks pacey full-backs. 

With both Williams brothers set to start on the wings, this match may come down to whether Real Sociedad can stop them from scoring.

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