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11th Feb. Spanish Copa Del Rey---Athletic Bilbao VS Real Sociedad Prediction
Spanish Copa Del Rey - Athletic Bilbao VS Real Sociedad
Match Time:12-02-2026 04:00 Thursday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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Team News
Athletic Bilbao come into this Copa del Rey quarter-final in strong domestic form, sitting comfortably in the top half of La Liga with an excellent home record at San Mamés. They are unbeaten in their last six league matches at home and have been particularly ruthless in cup ties this season (scoring heavily while keeping clean sheets in earlier rounds). Injuries are minimal: only key defender Dani Vivian is a doubt (minor muscle issue), while Nico Williams and Iñaki Williams are both fully fit and in top form. Expect Ernesto Valverde to field a very strong side in their usual 4-2-3-1: Unai Simón in goal, a back four with Óscar de Marcos and Yuri Berchiche providing width, midfield anchored by Mikel Vesga and Beñat Prados, and attack led by the Williams brothers on the flanks supporting Gorka Guruzeta up top. Athletic will press high from the front, win duels in midfield and overload the wide areas in front of a passionate San Mamés crowd.
Real Sociedad are pushing for a European spot in La Liga and have a very good cup pedigree, reaching the semi-finals or better in recent seasons. Their recent league form has been mixed (wins against mid-table sides but struggles against the very best), but they remain dangerous on the counter and from set pieces. Key absences include playmaker Mikel Merino (muscle injury) and winger Takefusa Kubo (hamstring, still out). Mikel Oyarzabal is fit and firing (double-digit goal involvements), while Brais Méndez and Sergio Gómez add creativity. Expect a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 with Álex Remiro in goal, a back four featuring Zubeldia and Le Normand, midfield control from Martín Zubimendi, and attack led by Oyarzabal, André Silva and wingers like Barrenetxea. Sociedad will look to stay compact, absorb pressure and hit on quick counters.
Head to Head Analysis
This Basque derby is always intense and fiercely contested. In recent years the record is very even: in the last ten competitive meetings each side has won three times with four draws. In the Copa del Rey, however, Athletic have the edge – they knocked Sociedad out in the semi-finals last season (after extra time) and have won the last two cup ties between them. At San Mamés, Athletic are unbeaten in their last four home games against Sociedad (three wins, one draw), often winning through physical intensity and set-piece work. Matches between these two sides tend to be tight, tactical and physical – six of the last eight produced under 2.5 goals, with both teams scoring in only three of those. Expect a high-energy, midfield-heavy battle with limited clear chances early and the outcome likely decided by one moment of quality, a set piece or a counter-attack.
Prediction
This is a proper cup quarter-final between two well-matched Basque rivals who know each other extremely well. San Mamés will be electric and Athletic’s home intensity, physicality and set-piece threat give them a slight edge in this environment. Sociedad are very well organised, dangerous on the break and have plenty of cup experience, but they have struggled to win big away games against top-half sides this season. The game will be cagey for long periods – both teams cancelling each other out in midfield, few clear openings, and very few goals until fatigue opens up spaces late. Athletic’s home advantage and extra aggression in knockout football should see them through narrowly, but this could easily go to extra time or penalties. Lean towards the hosts just doing enough.
Final Prediction: Athletic Bilbao win 1-0 (or 2-1 after extra time). Home side to progress – around 60% confidence in an Athletic victory, with under 2.5 goals highly likely.
From:Preview
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