The second leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final between Real Sociedad and Athletic Club will take place on 4 March at Anoeta in San Sebastian. The score in the first leg was 1:0 in favour of Real Sociedad. Real Sociedad vs Athletic Club: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Real Sociedad
Having beaten Athletic Club away from home, the club recorded its sixth win of the current Copa del Rey campaign. Admittedly, extra time and a penalty shootout were required in the round of 16 against Osasuna, but in all other cases the home team got the job done in 90 minutes. In Bilbao, the side scored fewer than two goals for the first time in their last seven cup matches, while the Basque visitors kept a clean sheet, having previously conceded in three straight games in this competition. Now the club only need to avoid defeat over 90 minutes, and in the last 20 matches in the Copa del Rey that has happened only once — in a home game against Real Madrid last winter (0:1).
- Five of Real Sociedad's previous seven matches in the national cup have gone over the total.
- The team have avoided defeat in 90 minutes in five of their last six home matches in this competition (three wins, two draws).
- The Basques have scored in 12 of their previous 14 home games in the Copa del Rey.
Potential Real Sociedad Lineup (4-2-3-1)*
Alejandro Remiro – Jon Martin, Due Chaleta-Tsar, Jon Aramburu, Sergio Gomez – Jon Gorrochatategi, Benat Turrientes – Goncalu Guedes, Carlos Soler, Pablo Marin – Mikel Oyarzabal.
Due to fitness issues, defender Alvaro Odriozola and midfielder Takefusa Kubo will not be available for this match. Forward Orri Oskarsson is a doubt.
Athletic Club
The team have played four matches in the national cup this season, and only one of those games ended with a win in 90 minutes. In the quarter-finals, Athletic Club beat Valencia thanks to a decisive 90th-minute goal (2:1), having previously knocked opponents out only after extra time. It is also worth noting that three weeks ago the club failed to keep a clean sheet for a third consecutive cup match. If the away team want to reach the final without taking it to extra time, they need to win by a margin of at least two goals.
- Athletic Club have kept a clean sheet in five of their last seven away matches in the Copa del Rey.
- The club have scored in six of their previous eight away games in this competition.
- At least two goals have been scored in 11 of the Basques' last 15 matches in the Copa del Rey.
Potential Athletic Club Lineup (4-2-3-1)*
Alex Padilla – Inigo Lekue, Iker Agundes, Emeric Laporte, Adama Boiro – Mikel Jauregisar, Alejandro Rego – Robert Navarro, Inaki Williams, Unai Gomez – Gorka Guruzeta.
Due to injuries, defender Unai Egilus, midfielders Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta and Benat Prados, as well as forwards Nico Williams and Maroan Sannadi will all miss out.
Referee
Cesar Soto Grado (Spain)
Matches officiated – 17 (La Liga and the Copa del Rey, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 63;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.7;
Red cards shown – 3;
Fouls per match (average) – 23;
Penalties – 35%.
Real Sociedad vs Athletic Club: Match Prediction
Real Sociedad achieved an excellent result in the first leg. Now a place in the final will be secured simply by avoiding defeat over 90 minutes, and the club's current unbeaten run in the Copa del Rey has already reached seven matches. Moreover, in six of those seven games the Basques won in normal time. Looking at home form, and excluding extra time, the team have at least avoided defeat in five of their last six matches in the national cup (three wins, two draws).
Athletic Club have made it to the semi-finals, but at every stage — including this one — the team have had problems. Previously, the club either snatched victory late in normal time or won after extra time. Overall, the Basques have won in 90 minutes in only one of their previous seven Copa del Rey matches. Improving that record away at Real Sociedad will be extremely difficult, as Athletic Club have now gone nine head-to-head matches without a win at the ground of their fierce rivals. In six of those nine games, the team were not even able to take a draw.
Prediction: Real Sociedad Draw No Bet
* For each team, the starting XI from their previous match in this competition is listed.
