The Basque derby does not need a title race to feel huge, and it arrives loaded with storylines on Sunday night. Real Sociedad came to San Mames fifth on 19 points, unbeaten in six games in all competitions. Athletic sat eighth on 12 points with a game in hand, fresh from hammering Getafe 4-0 at home. Spain already had one giant rivalry this month, Real Madrid’s 2-1 El Clasico win at Camp Nou. Now the north takes its turn.
Result: Athletic Club 2-1 Real Sociedad
Full time at San Mames: Athletic Club 2-1 Real Sociedad. Inaki Williams put Athletic ahead in the 14th minute, Luka Sucic levelled for Sociedad in the 30th, and Alex Berenguer won it from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time.
All three goals came before the break, and a goalless second half saw Athletic hold on for derby bragging rights in front of their own fans.
The win lifts Athletic to 15 points from 10 games, while Sociedad stay on 19 points from 11.
Form Guide
Athletic’s 4-0 win over Getafe last Sunday was their best performance of the season, with Alex Berenguer, Inaki Williams, Aitor Paredes and Yuri Berchiche all scoring. It followed a 3-1 defeat at Levante and a goalless draw at Valencia, so consistency is the question. Athletic warmed up with a 6-1 win at AE Prat in the Copa del Rey on Thursday night, with a rotated side doing the damage.
Sociedad keep answering every question. They beat Levante 2-1 last weekend through Orri Oskarsson and Benat Turrientes, won 5-2 at Malaga the week before, and put six past Lillestrom in the Europa League. Pellegrino Matarazzo has La Real playing with real belief.
Team News
Terzic welcomes Aymeric Laporte straight back into the starting XI after the defender served his suspension against Getafe. Oihan Sancet is back in the squad but starts on the bench: he missed the Getafe win, completed full training on Wednesday and sat out the cup tie at Prat as a precaution. Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta misses out with a hamstring injury, and Gorka Guruzeta remains out long term. The Williams brothers are both fit and firing: Inaki captained the side and scored against Getafe, and Nico played 68 minutes on his way back to full sharpness.
Sociedad’s squad looks close to full strength, with Take Kubo back in the group and Yangel Herrera fit again after returning from the bench against Levante. At right-back Jon Aramburu starts ahead of Hector Fort, who is on the bench, while Carlos Soler and Ander Barrenetxea come into the side and Luka Sucic moves up front alongside captain Mikel Oyarzabal. Orri Oskarsson and Benat Turrientes drop to the bench. Athletic’s Unai Simon starts in goal fresh from winning the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or awards. Our El Clasico all-time top scorers list covers Spain’s other great rivalry.
The Derby Factor
San Mames on derby night is one of the loudest grounds in Spain. Players grow up dreaming about this fixture, the city stops for it, and form tends to fly out of the window. Sociedad’s run makes them favourites on paper, but paper counts for little when the home end is in full voice.
Expected Lineups
Athletic Club (confirmed XI)
GK: Unai Simon
Defense: Hugo Rincon, Dani Vivian, Aymeric Laporte, Yuri Berchiche
Midfield: Benat Gerenabarrena, Peio Canales, Inaki Williams, Alex Berenguer, Nico Williams
Attack: Maroan Sannadi
Real Sociedad (confirmed XI)
GK: Alex Remiro
Defense: Jon Aramburu, Jon Martin, Mamadou Sarr, Sergio Gomez
Midfield: Goncalo Guedes, Carlos Soler, Jon Gorrotxategi, Ander Barrenetxea
Attack: Luka Sucic, Mikel Oyarzabal
Both XIs above are confirmed: Sancet starts on the Athletic bench, Aramburu gets the nod over Fort at right-back for Sociedad, and Oskarsson is on the bench.
Who Has the Edge?
On form, Sociedad. On the night, Athletic. Derbies at San Mames have a way of dragging the better team into a scrap, and the Williams brothers can hurt anyone when the crowd is roaring. We lean Athletic by a whisker, with the home crowd the difference.
FAQs
When is the Basque derby?
Sunday, November 1 at San Mames. Kickoff is 9pm in Spain, which is 1am on Monday morning in Pakistan.
Who is higher in La Liga, Athletic Club or Real Sociedad?
Real Sociedad are fifth with 19 points. Athletic are eighth with 12 points and a game in hand.
Is Nico Williams fit for the derby?
Yes. He started against Getafe, played 68 minutes and looked back to full sharpness.
Is Oihan Sancet fit for the derby?
He is in the squad but does not start. Sancet missed the Getafe win, returned to full training on Wednesday and was rested for the cup tie at Prat as a precaution, and he is on the bench for the derby.
Why do Athletic Club only sign Basque players?
It is the club’s famous cantera policy: Athletic only field players born in the Basque Country or developed by Basque club academies. It makes the derby a true meeting of local talent.
This is GoalVerdict's editorial analysis based on squad quality, form and tactics — not betting advice.