EH Txapela final at Anoeta, Real Sociedad face Athletic in international break derby | OneFootball

The EH Txapela reaches its 10th edition today as Real Sociedad face Athletic at Anoeta, with kick-off imminent. The derby arrives in the middle of a long international break.

Yeray and Turrientes have taken the captains' toss and the players have completed the customary handshakes. According to El Correo, the build-up featured a ticket dispute, with Real Sociedad members able to attend free while Athletic members paid 15 euros.

The line-ups blend regulars with fringe options, including Hugo Rincón, Rego and Prados. Peio Canales also starts after being called up by the under-21s.

Athletic are chasing a fourth EH Txapela and the chance to move clear at the top of the honours list. They currently have three titles, level with Osasuna. Real Sociedad and Eibar have one apiece.

The competition has typically been staged in summer, but this edition sits in the break to maintain rhythm and hand minutes to squad players. The first tournament, in 2017 at Lasesarre between Athletic and Alavés, was abandoned after a melee with the score at 2-2.

Source: El Correo

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