Match Pack: Athletic Club vs Real Sociedad (LaLiga MD20)

San Mames is set to host the Basque Derby. This Saturday, Athletic Club and Real Sociedad will lock horns for a 154th time in LaLiga.

Off the pitch it's a healthy rivalry in which fans will eat and drink together in the build-up to the match. On the pitch, however, the teams will battle to the end to take all three points. With both sides in the hunt for European qualification, there is a lot at stake.

Los Leones will want to repeat the performances of the last two derbies at The Cathedral, while the txuri-urdin will be desperate to reduce the gap between themselves and Athletic in the standings.

Match Info
Athletic Club vs Real Sociedad

San Mames, Bilbao

LaLiga EA Sports 23/24 (Matchday 20)

Saturday January 12, 18:30 CET

Last remaining tickets available here

How to Watch
Wherever you are in the world, make sure you don't miss the Basque Derby

Team News
Valverde named a 24 for the clash in Bilbao.

Dani García remain sidelined, while Iñaki Williams is away on international duty with Ghana.

Yeray Álvarez is back in the squad after recovering from a long-term injury.

Valverde's Comments
The boss said Athletic "don't fear anyone and believe they can do anything" at his pre-match press conference.

The Opponents

Head coach: Imanol Alguacil

After a brief interim spell in charge in 2017/18, Imanol took the job proper at Real Sociedad halfway through the following season. The Donostia-based outfit have achieved a top-half finish in every season since he became head coach and last year they qualified for the Champions League after coming fourth.

Imanol's complete record in LaLiga stands at: 92 wins, 54 draws and 55 defeats.

Top goalscorer: Mikel Oyarzabal

The 26-year-old forward came up through la Real's youth system and made his LaLiga debut in 2015/16. Oyarzabal quickly became a key player for the txuri-urdin and became the side's captain this year, taking over from Asier Illarramendi.

Mikel has made a total of 265 appearances in LaLiga, scoring 74 goals. So far this season, he's got seven strikes in 18 matches.

Recent form: DWDDD

La Real had a solid first half of the season, only losing on three occasions - against Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid and FC Barcelona. However, they have only won once since December - a 0-3 victory over Villarreal - with all their other matches being draws. Their most recent outing was 1-1 home tie with Deportivo Alavés.

Previous Meetings
The first Basque Derby in LaLiga dates all the way back to the competition's inaugural season. We drew 1-1 at Anoeta on 10 February 1929 and two months later Athletic were 4-2 victors in the first top-flight Basque Derby held in Bilbao.

In total the two teams have faced off 153 times in the Primera División, with the Zurigorri registering 61 wins, 39 draws and 53 defeats.

The Lions have a decent home record against our Basque rivals. From 76 encounters, we've recorded 41 victories, 20 draws and 15 losses.

The last five clashes at San Mames have seen Athletic win on three occasions, while Real Sociedad took all three points in the other two matches.

Last year's match in Bilbao saw Athletic defeat la Real 2-0 with Iñaki Williams playing a crucial role. The striker opened the scoring with a scrappy goal in the 32nd minute before he completed the victory with a powerful strike in the second half.