The La Liga round 22 match between Athletic Club and Real Sociedad will take place on 1 february at the San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao. Athletic Club vs Real Sociedad: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Athletic Club
Athletic Club is still going through very difficult times. Last week the home side lost away to Sevilla (1:2), and now the club's winless run in La Liga stands at five matches. Moreover, four of those five games ended in defeat. Over the last 18 rounds the home side has managed only four wins. As a result, the team has slid to 14th place in the table. The current gap from the relegation zone no longer allows a sense of security, since only three points separate the team from 18th position.
- The club conceded in six of its eight previous home league matches.
- The home side's uncompromising run in this competition lasts six matches (3 wins, 3 defeats).
- At least two goals have been scored in five of Athletic Club's La Liga matches.
Potential Athletic Club Lineup (4-2-3-1)*
Unai Simon – Jesus Areso, Daniel Vivian, Aitor Paredes, Yuri Berchiche – Mikel Hauregisar, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta – Robert Navarro, Oihan Sancet, Alex Berenguer – Urko Iseta.
Forward Gorka Guruzeta will return after suspension, while defender Inigo Lekue is still serving a ban. Due to injuries the team will be without defenders Daniel Vivian and Unai Ehilus, midfielders Oihan Sancet and Benat Prados, and forward Maroan Sannadi.
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad's results have been strongly affected by the recent change of head coach. Since the appointment of Pellegrino Matarazzo the team has not lost any of its last four La Liga matches. First the visiting team drew with Atletico Madrid (1:1), and then secured three consecutive wins — the best stretch since march 2024. Last week the visiting team defeated Celta (3:1) despite playing a whole half with ten men. Overall the unbeaten run in the championship has reached five matches (3 wins, 2 draws). Thanks to this surge Real Sociedad rose to 8th place in the table, although not long ago the club was only 16th. Notably, Pellegrino Matarazzo was chosen as La Liga's coach of the month for January.
- Both teams scored in six of Real Sociedad's previous league matches.
- At least two goals were scored in seven of the club's last eight games in this competition.
- The visiting team has conceded in 15 La Liga matches.
Potential Real Sociedad Lineup (4-4-2)*
Alejandro Remiro – Duje Caleta-Car, Jon Martin, Jon Aramburu, Aihen Munoz – Jon Gorrochategi, Goncalo Guedes, Benjat Turrientes, Ander Barrenetxea – Luka Sucic, Mikel Oyarzabal.
Midfielder Carlos Soler served a suspension, but now defender Duje Caleta-Car is unavailable due to the red card in the last match. Midfielder Yangel Herrera has recovered from injury. Forward Takefusa Kubo is unavailable due to health problems.
Athletic Club vs Real Sociedad: Match Prediction
Athletic Club has long been disappointing with its results, and currently the club is going through arguably the worst stretch of the season. The team has not won in five La Liga matches, and during this run the home side has collected just one point from a possible 15. The underlying problems date back to early autumn: after a brisk start Athletic Club managed only four wins in the last 18 rounds of the championship.
Real Sociedad also had a weak first half of the season, but now everything is changing very quickly. The team's unbeaten run in La Liga has reached five matches (3 wins, 2 draws). In four rounds with new coach Pellegrino Matarazzo the club drew with Atletico Madrid and then put together a run of three wins, including a victory over Barcelona (2:1). As a result, the visiting team has regained confidence and fully joined the fight for a place in European competitions.
It is quite likely that the inspired visitors will again secure at least one point.
Prediction: Real Sociedad Double Chance
* The starting lineup listed for each team corresponds to its previous match in this competition.
