Real Sociedad vs Valencia – Preview, H2H, Line-ups, Odds, 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 will look to get back to winning ways in the league when they host Valencia this Sunday. 

Venue: Reale Arena (San Sebastian) 

Key Statistics

Real Sociedad have lost their last two league games.

They have failed to score in three of their last five games in all competitions.

The hosts have lost their last two home games, failing to score in both.

Valencia’s last three road trips in the league produced an average of two red cards per game (including one player that was not on the pitch).

The visitors are unbeaten in their last three away games (W1, D2) while scoring first in each of the games.

They have won one of their last nine league away games (D5, L3).

Head to head

The last three meetings between both sides have all ended in a draw. 

But Valencia have the upper hand in this fixture as they have won four of the last ten meetings between both sides, losing just once.

Latest performances in all competitions

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

Valencia: L-L-D-D-W

Real Sociedad 

After booking a place in the knockout rounds of the UEFA Europa League last Thursday, Real Sociedad now turn their sights on building on their fine start to the La Liga season. 

Real Sociedad saw their 100% record in the UEL come to an end when they hosted Manchester United at the Reale Arena on Thursday. Alejandro Granacho scored the only goal of the game as the Red Devils won the game 1-0. Nonetheless, La Real finished as group leaders based on goal difference, after conceding fewer goals than their English counterparts. 

But in the league, Real Sociedad endured a similar fate in their last outing. La Real came up against fellow top-four hopefuls Real Betis, and after dominating proceedings for the larger part of the game, Real Sociedad fell to two late goals from substitute Juan Cruz and Spanish attacker Borja Iglesias. 

The win was their second league loss on the bounce, leaving Alguacil Imanol with work to do to recover what has been a great season.

Real Sociedad have made a spectacular start to the league season, and are desperate to make an appearance in the Champions League next season. But, La Txuriurdin will have to find a way back into the top four after losing their place after the loss to Real Betis. 

With just one point keeping them outside the top four, Imanol will be hard on his boys to go all out and secure the win over Gennaro Gattuso’s side.  

Real Sociedad come into this tie as the better team and they will fancy their chances of overcoming a Valencia side who have looked out of sorts this season. 

Possible Real Sociedad starting line-up

Alex Remiro; Aritz Elustondo, Igor Zubeldia, Robin Le Normand, Diego Rico; Brais Mendez, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Robert Navarro; Alexander Soerloth, Carlos Fernandez.

Injured: Takefusa Kubo, Sadiq Umar, Aihen Munoz, Mohamed Ali Cho, Ander Martin, Martín Merquelanz, Mikel Oyarzabal.

Doubtful: None 

Suspended: None

Valencia 

Valencia will look to bounce back from their defeat to Barcelona at the Mestalla last weekend. 

Robert Lewandowski ghosted in behind the Valencia back line to poke home the winning goal following a lobed pass from Raphinha after Valencia had stifled the Blaugrana for the entire game. The hosts caused Barca problems on the counter and came close to stealing a win, only to have their goal ruled offside in a high-intensity game which saw nine yellow cards shared among both teams by the referee.

Gennaro Gattuso was positive in his review of his team’s performance in his post-match interview, and the Italian coach will be keen to see the same sort of performance from his side when they travel to San Sebastian to take on Real Sociedad. 

However, his side come into this game winless in their last six games, a run which stretches as far back as the beginning of October. Gattuso will be hoping that the win over La Real may act as a catalyst to spur his boys on as they look to lift themselves from their lowly position in tenth place.

Possible Valencia starting line-up

Giorgi Mamardashvili; Thierry Correia, Gabriel Paulista, Eray Coemert, Jose Gaya; Andre Almeida, Hugo Guillamon, Yunus Musah; Samuel Castillejo, Edinson Cavani, Samuel Dias Lino.

Injured: Mouctar Diakhaby, Ilaix Moriba, Jaume Doménech

Doubtful: None 

Suspended: None

Odds

 Real Sociedad to winDrawValencia to win
Odds1.853.504.33
Probability (%) 512722

Prediction

Real Sociedad 2-1 Valencia