Real Sociedad vs Real Betis – Preview, H2H, Line-ups, Prediction | La Liga 2022-23

Spain's La Liga sets protocols for the return of fans
Spain's La Liga sets protocols for the return of fans

Real Sociedad and Real Betis will square up this Sunday with both top-four chasing sides looking to get back to winning ways after suffering league defeats last time out.

Venue: Reale Arena (San Sebastian)

Key Statistics

Real Sociedad have won their last five home games in all competitions.

They are unbeaten at home in their last six home games in all competitions (W5, D1).

The hosts have kept three clean sheets in their three home games.

Real Betis are unbeaten across their last four road trips (W2, D2).

They have kept three consecutive clean sheets away from home ahead of this game.

Real Sociedad have scored five of their six home goals before half-time in La Liga this season, but have scored none after the 60th minute.

Head to head

In 52 head-to-head meetings between both sides, Sociedad have 32 wins while Betis have just five wins (D15).

Latest performances in all competitions

Real Sociedad: W-L-W-W-W

Real Betis: W-L-D-W-D

Real Sociedad

Real Sociedad will look to bounce back from their recent loss when they host Real Betis at the Reale Arena on Sunday.

La Real fell to a 1-0 loss to Real Valladolid last time out, with Sergio Leon grabbing the only goal of the game to halt their six-game-winning run in La Liga. The loss saw Real Sociedad drop into fourth position with Atletico Madrid moving into third.

However, Alguacil Imanol’s side made a quick return to winning ways in midweek when they brushed aside Cypriot side Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League. Brais Mendez and Robert Navarro scored to hand La Real a fifth consecutive win in the UEFA competition as they maintained their hold on the top spot in Group E.

They will now look to bounce back from their loss to Real Valladolid as they look to maintain their spot in the top four, where they sit just two points ahead of Betis.

But Imanol will be keen to see his side improve on their recent results against Manuel Pellegrini’s side, having failed to beat Los Verdiblancos in their last five games with three defeats and two draws, La Real will therefore be playing for just more than three points.

Possible Real Sociedad starting line-up

Alex Remiro; AnAlex Sola, Aritz Elustondo, Jon Pacheco, Aihen Munoz; Mikel Merino, Martín Zubimendi, Brais Mendez, David Silva; Alexander Sorloth, Takefusa Kubo.

Injured: Umar Sadiq, André Martin, Mohamed Cho

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None 

Real Betis

Real Betis, on the other hand, come into this game off the back of a 0-1 win over Ludogorets in the Europa League. Manuel Pellegrini made nine changes to his starting line-up, but the rotations did little for either the performance or the fitness of the players.

The first half required several saves from Claudio Bravo to ensure that Los Verdiblancos were not behind at the break. German Pezzella had been injured in the lead-up to the match and the Chilean coach must have been cursing his luck when captain Joaquin had to be taken off before the half-hour mark.

The other highlight for Real Betis was Nabil Fekir, who came on and scored Betis’ only goal again, as he did at the weekend against Atletico Madrid. Alex Moreno set him up and his impact is a massive boost for Manuel Pellegrini, who will now face Real Sociedad with a depleted squad.

The loss to Atletico Madrid at the weekend saw Real Betis drop into fifth place in the La Liga standings. Coach Manuel Pellegrini will be keen to see his return to the top four by taking all three points from Real Sociedad.

Real Betis come into this game with a better recent head-to-head record against La Real, but with Alguacil Imanol’s team having shown much improvement this season, Los Verdiblancos will face a daunting task against the home side.

Possible Real Betis starting line-up

Rui Silva; Martin Montoya, Victor Ruiz Torre, German Pezzella, Alex Moreno; Guido Rodriguez, Sergio Canales; William Carvalho, Rodrigo Sanchez, Luis Henrique; Borja Iglesias.

Injured: Juanmi Jimenez

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None 

Prediction

Real Sociedad 2-1 Real Betis