Real Sociedad vs Athletic Bilbao
Real Sociedad are one step closer to reaching this year’s Copa del Rey finals after taking a slender lead in the first leg, but Athletic Bilbao are not out of it yet. Ernesto Valverde’s men only trail by one goal, so they can still turn their fortunes around when they visit the Anoeta Stadium on Wednesday night.
Since beating Athletic Bilbao in the first leg, Real Sociedad have won only one of their next three La Liga games, losing 4-1 to Real Madrid and drawing 3-3 with Oviedo before securing a 1-0 win against Mallorca last weekend. In contrast, Athletic Bilbao have gone unbeaten during the same period, including a 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano last time out.
The winner of this tie would take on either Atletico Madrid or Barcelona in the final round. Los Rojiblancos are firmly in the driver’s seat after taking a four-goal lead in the opening leg.
Talking Points
Real Sociedad have other weapons besides Oyarzabal
Mikel Oyarzabal has shouldered the heavy scoring load for Real Sociedad this season, as he’s their leading scorer with 10 goals and three assists. But in recent weeks, he has been getting help from his other teammates, which bodes well for the team moving forward.
Benat Turrientes opened his account this season with great timing, as he was on the scoresheet against Athletic Bilbao in the first leg. The 24-year-old midfielder tapped the ball into the back of the net after Goncalo Guedes, recipient of Carlos Soler’s wonderful through ball, chipped the ball past goalie Alex Padilla.
Oyarzabal prevented a shutout loss against Real Madrid after that, while Orri Oskarsson (brace), Duje Caleta-Car, and Carlos Soler were also on the scoresheet in La Real’s last three La Liga matches.
On the injury front, Oskarsson is listed as doubtful, while Takefusa Kubo, Alvaro Odriozola, and Inaki Ruperez will miss the second leg against Athletic Bilbao due to injuries. This means head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo will keep most of his starting XI from the Mallorca game. Luka Sucic, Ander Barrenetxea, and Aritz Elustondo could regain their starting spots after being on the bench last time out.
Several key players out for Athletic Bilbao
On the other hand, Athletic Bilbao will be severely undermanned against Real Sociedad, as Unai Eguiluz and Yeray Alvarez will definitely miss the contest, and Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Maroan Sannadi, Nico Williams, and Benat Prados are major doubts. Ruiz de Galarreta sustained a knock against Rayo Vallecano, and Alejandro Rego could take his place in the starting midfield.
Los Leones are growing concerned about Nico Williams, as the 23-year-old hasn’t played since their 2-1 win over Valencia in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals due to a groin injury. His older brother, Inaki, has taken his place on the left wing, and he’ll likely join Oihan Sancet, Gorka Guruzeta, and Unai Gomez in the final third after scoring the equaliser against Rayo Vallecano last time out.
History
As noted, Real Sociedad won 1-0 in the opening leg last month, as Benat Turrientes scored the marginal goal two minutes after the hour mark.
Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao have met 14 times in the Copa del Rey, with the former notching six wins to the latter’s five, and four of their last five games in this competition have been won by La Real. One of them was in the 2019-20 final, as Mikel Oyarzabal’s 63rd-minute penalty secured a 1-0 victory in Seville for only their second Copa del Rey title in franchise history.
Barcelona are the winningest team in Copa del Rey history with 32 trophies, including last year, followed by Athletic Bilbao (24), Real Madrid (20), and Atletico Madrid (10).
Betting Tip
The Copa del Rey 2026 odds have Real Sociedad eliminating Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday en route to the final round, but it will be close. La Real are at 2.20 to win, whereas Los Leones aren’t far behind at 3.09, and a draw after 90 minutes is also priced at 3.09 in the 1X2 market.
Real Sociedad should get the job done on Wednesday, with the fans cheering them on at home. While we expect a goal or two, Copa del Rey 2026 highlights could only come few and far between, similar to the reverse leg.
SBOTOP punters could also consider adding Under 2.50 at 1.75 and Under 2.25 at 1.98 to the parlay. Furthermore, a Correct Score of 1-0 in favour of La Real – the result of the first leg – gives you a steady payout of 6.60.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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