In the stadium both teams supporters are not really enemy's of each other even though its a derby..
They feel the friendship first. that they are from the same region: Basque

Real Sociedad are 3 points away from a CL spot (due to Malaga beeing expelled from EL and Cl next season)

Atletic on the other hand just got 6 points down to relegation

Predictions: Real Sociedad to take a surprise win (if we can call it that) in San Mames
0-2. Real Sociedad might be on the same track as that 2002/2003 season where they finished 2nd even though they will not finish that high this year

This is the last Derby Atletic will play in  the old san mames "the cathedral" (oldest spanish stadium) before the new is ready for the 2013-14 season

The new ones capacity will be 56.000 and the "old" one's is 40.000...

Streams: Wiziwig.tv

Weird they play on a Friday. I think it will be 1-2 for Sociedad. 

Off topic but Knibis with Malaga banned from both EC and CL does that mean fifth place gets CL and sixth Beth EC assuming Malaga remain fourth?

Yeah I think so..

Well that's a relief for us. Poor season but we can still get CL. 

Why are Malaga banned? O.o

Oh, I see:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/champions-league/9761090/Malaga-banned-for-a-year-from-Champions-League-and-Europa-League-for-non-payment-of-wages.html

Well, bye-bye Isco, then.

No!
Bilbao wont lose tonight!
2-1 for me

Malaga got banned even though there are probably 20 clubs with worse economy than them in the 4 biggest leagues..

Uefa just wanted to set an example so Malaga became a victim

whats so good about Atletic is that they have good economy and they would never need any money to buy players since they only have Basque born players in their squad.. They use the money to build stadiums and stuff like that

What they rely on is a good youth academy

It's only because of unpaid wages and taxes. There are a few other clubs that also got punished. 

@Knibis: They don't use only Basque-born players, Amorebieta is the exception :) he was born in Venezuela, but he is able to play for Atletic because his parents are Basque and he also was in Atletic's academy =)

yeah i know. but it has to proven that the players parents are of Basque decent. Basque country are 4 regions in Spain and 3 in France

I've always wondered why it is that is a mark of pride. It's actually xenophobia.

Imagine if Bayern only took players of Bavarian descent. They'd be (rightly) called fascists. :p

Well at a time AC Milan only allowed Italian that's why Inter came about to allow any nationality. Spaniards see it differently especially since its been that way for many years. The Basque are really proud to stay pure and what not. 

Oh, I get the historical significance. But when you think about it, it's really just fascism treated as something romantic.

It's not like Catalonia takes their 'national' pride any less than the Spanish Basque, but even in the Catalan-heavy Barcelona of today there's a fair mix of other nationalities. 

It's a touchy subject Lodatz, I wouldn't call it fascism simply because if you look at Spain's history, present-day Spain is more so a political state of countries, and not the other way around. I don't mean to lecture because I'm sure you're aware of the history, but Spain is comprised of various cultures that were oppressed by a fascist government, and were obligated to set aside their practices and adhere to those of Castile. Athletic Club de Bilbao is only sticking to their roots. I think fascist is too strong of a word to describe what they believe in. This is of course why the fan base in all of Spain is extremely dedicated to their home clubs, because it's a form of identity that the government once stole from them.

Having said that, I hope Athletic Club wins tonight!

@ikoiko: I do appreciate that sense of identity, and in many ways I do find it admirable. I've studied the Spanish Civil War as part of political studies, and can appreciate the tension involved in that history, also.

However, there's a difference to me between being proud of your local heroes, and knowing they are one of your own, and excluding anyone OTHER than locals play for your team.

To me, that's not pride, and I would caution the folk of the Basque to look at wider European history for examples of just how terribly wrong things can go when adhering to such ideas. I don't find it to be something to look up to, but rather something that should be left behind, along with all the other mistakes made by those who wished to promote or champion a particular ethnicity.

Anyways. I've said my piece, and have no stake in the game itself, so..  May The Best Team Win!

I can see your point. Kudos.

Loadest buuu's ever when LLorente entered the pitch... just after vela scored 1-3 to sociedad...

Beeing an Atletic supporter tonight might not be the easiest