Arguably the standout contest in the latest set of La Liga fixtures will take place at San Mames on Saturday evening, with Athletic Bilbao welcoming Real Sociedad for the Basque derby.
Athletic are currently fourth in the La Liga table, boasting 38 points from their opening 19 matches of the campaign, while Real Sociedad sit sixth, six points behind their opponents here.
Match preview
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Athletic have not claimed a top-four position in La Liga for 10 years, but they certainly look capable of finishing in a Champions League spot in the table this term, with the Basque outfit enjoying a strong campaign.
The Lions have won 11, drawn five and lost three of their 19 league matches this season to collect 38 points, which has left them in fourth spot in the table, level on points with fifth-placed Atletico Madrid.
Athletic are just three points behind third-placed Barcelona, meanwhile, and they will enter this match off the back of four straight wins in all competitions, three of which have been in Spain's top flight.
Indeed, Ernesto Valverde's side have picked up maximum points from their last three league games with Atletico Madrid, Las Palmas and Sevilla, scoring five times and conceding zero, while they are unbeaten in all competitions since a 1-0 reverse to Barcelona in the league on October 22.
Athletic were in Copa del Rey action last weekend and managed to book their spot in the last-16 stage of the tournament courtesy of a 3-0 success over Eibar, and the hosts will be eyeing a fifth straight victory in all competitions in Saturday's intriguing clash.
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Real Sociedad, meanwhile, currently sit sixth in Spain's top flight, boasting 32 points from their 19 matches this season courtesy of a record of eight wins, eight draws and three defeats.
Imanol Alguacil's side, who are present in the last-16 stage of the Champions League, also advanced in the Copa del Rey last weekend, recording a 1-0 victory over Malaga.
Too many draws have prevented Real Sociedad from pushing into the top four at this stage of the campaign, and they have shared the points in their last three league fixtures with Real Betis, Cadiz and Alaves.
Real Sociedad's last loss also came to Barcelona at the start of November, with the Basque side unbeaten in their 12 matches in all competitions since then, but six of those fixtures have ended in draws.
The White and Blues recorded a 3-0 victory over Athletic when the two teams locked horns in the Basque derby earlier this season, but Athletic won 2-0 in the corresponding contest during the 2023-24 campaign.
Team News
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Athletic remain without the services of Yeray Alvarez due to a thigh problem, while a similar issue could also rule midfielder Dani Garcia out of the contest at San Mames.
The Lions will also be missing key attacker Inaki Williams, who is set to represent Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations, and he will be absent while his country remain in the tournament.
Asier Villalibre scored twice against Eibar in the Copa del Rey last time out, but he could find himself back on the bench for this match, with Gorka Guruzeta expected to be given the nod in the final third of the field.
As for Real Sociedad, Andre Silva, Aritz Elustondo and Martin Merquelanz are out through injury, while Takefusa Kubo is away with the Japan squad at the Asian Cup.
Sadiq Umar had been due to represent Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations, but the forward has now been ruled out of the tournament through injury, and he is expected to be missing until February.
Hamari Traore is with Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations, so he is also out, while Alex Remiro is suspended for the visitors due to the red card that he was handed against Alaves in the league last weekend.
Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Simon; Lekue, Vivian, Paredes, Yuri; Ruiz de Galarreta, Vesga; Berenguer, Sancet, N Williams; Guruzeta
Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Marrero; Odriozola, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Tierney; Mendez, Zubimendi, Merino; Barrenetxea, Oyarzabal, Zakharyan
We say: Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Real Sociedad
Both teams will be missing some important players this weekend, but Real Sociedad have been hit the hardest in terms of absentees. Under normal circumstances, we would be backing a draw here, but Athletic can take advantage of the away side's problems to secure a vital three points in the Basque derby.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Matt Law
