Prediction: Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad

Prediction: Match to end in 1-1 draw

Best Odds: 19/4

Bookmaker: Zetbet

Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad will lock horns with each other in the Copa del Rey this week. The first leg of the semi-final tie between the two La Liga clubs will be held at Estadio San Mames and is scheduled to kick off at 8pm on Wednesday.

Athletic Bilbao

Athletic Bilbao are one of the biggest and most historic clubs in Spain who regularly challenge for the top four in the La Liga table. While the Basque giants do not tend to challenge for the championship, they try to end up in major European Competitions.

Bilbao finished fifth in the La Liga table in the 2023-24 campaign and ended up fourth in the standings in the 2024-25 campaign. Ernesto Valverde’s side, though, are not doing particularly well at the moment. Zuri-Gorriak are 10th in the league table right now with 28 points from 23 matches.

Bilbao will head into the Copa del Rey match against Real Sociedad on Wednesday evening on the back of a 4-2 victory over Levante at home in La Liga. It came after a 2-1 victory over Valencia away from home in the Copa del Rey, which followed a 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad at Estadio San Mames in La Liga.

Team News:

Athletic Bilbao are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Real Sociedad. Unai Simon will be in goal for the Basque giants and will have Andoni Gorosabel, Aitor Paredes, Aymeric Laporte and Yuri Berchiche in front of him in defence. Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta and Mikel Jauregizar will be the two holding midfielders. Nico Serrano, Gorka Guruzeta and Nico Williams will be the three attacking midfielders. Inaki Williams will lead the line for Bilbao.

Real Sociedad

Real Sociedad are one of the biggest and most well-known clubs in Spain. While La Real have played in the UEFA Champions League in years gone by, they did not have a particularly good time last season and ended up 11th in the standings.

Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side, though, are doing well at the moment. Sociedad are eighth in the La Liga table right now with 31 points from 23 matches, 14 points behind fourth-placed Villarreal.

Sociedad will head into the Copa del Rey game against Athletic Bilbao on the back of a 3-1 victory over Elche at home in La Liga. It came after a 3-2 victory over Alaves on the road in the Copa del Rey, which followed a 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao in La Liga.

Team News:

Real Sociedad are likely to line up in a 4-4-2 formation against Athletic Bilbao. Alex Remiro will be in goal and will have Alvaro Odriozola, Igor Zubeldia, Duje Caleta-Car and Sergio Gomez in front of him in defence. Jon Gorrotxategi and Carlos Soler will be the two holding midfielders, with Goncalo Guedes and Pablo Marin out wide. Luka Sucic and Mikel Oyarzabal will be the two centre-forwards for Sociedad.

Key Factors to Consider

• Athletic Bilbao have lost 3 of their last 6 La Liga matches.
• Athletic Bilbao have scored 25 goals and conceded 33 goals in 23 La Liga matches.
• Athletic Bilbao have won 1 of their last 6 La Liga matches.
• Real Sociedad have won 4 of their last 6 La Liga games.
• Real Sociedad have scored 33 goals and conceded 31 goals in 23 La Liga games so far this season.

Conclusion

Real Sociedad are in better form at the moment, but Athletic Bilbao are at home for the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final tie. It is very likely that this particular match will end in a draw.

Prediction: Match to end in 1-1 draw

Best Odds: 19/4

Bookmaker: Zetbet