Real Sociedad vs Valencia Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Spanish Primera
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THE FACTS
When is Real Sociedad vs Valencia on and what time does it start? Real Sociedad vs Valencia will take place on Thursday 16th May, 2024 – 21:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Real Sociedad vs Valencia? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Real Sociedad vs Valencia on in the UK? Real Sociedad vs Valencia will be televised live on LaLigaTV, but La Liga matches are also televised occasionally on Viaplay Sports and ITV
Where can I stream Real Sociedad vs Valencia in the UK? Real Sociedad vs Valencia can be streamed live on Viaplay, while ITV matches can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
REAL SOCIEDAD
Real Sociedad are one of the most intense pressing teams in the whole of European football and they have shown that during this campaign but, once again, Imanol Aguacil’s La Real have struggled to keep up that intensity throughout this season and are now in danger of missing out on a top six finish in La Liga.
The Basque giants come into this one on the back of a 2-0 loss against Barcelona at Monduit in Catalonia with Lamine Yamal opening the scoring for Barca after being 40 minutes before Raphinha’a second-half stoppage-time penalty. Real Sociedad have now managed just five victories in their last 18 matches across all competitions.
VALENCIA
Last season, Valencia narrowly avoided the relegation on the final day of the campaign under the interim management of Ruben Baraja. Off-field issues and supporter unrest meant they began this season expectation to being suffering from another battle against the drop but have instead battled for a place in the top seven and the European spots for much of the campaign.
The Valencians do, though, now come into the final few weeks on the back of a terrible run of form that has made European qualification pretty much impossible. They followed up three successive defeats in the league by sharing an underwhelming goalless draw against struggling Rayo Vallecano at Mestalla at the weekend.
THE TEAM NEWS
REAL SOCIEDAD
Javi Galan is among those sidelined through injury for Real Sociedad alongside the likes of Igor Zubeldia, Martin Zubimendi and striker Carlos Fernandez.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Remiro; Elustondo, Le Normand, Pacheco; Traore, Turrientes, Merino, Aramburu; Mendez, Oyarzabal; Becker
UNAVAILABLE: Galan (Injured), Zubeldia (Injured), Zubimendi (Injured), Fernandez (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
VALENCIA
Both Jaume Domenech and Fran Perez are missing through injury for Valencia this weekend, whilst Jesus Vasquez remains a doubt for Ruben Baraja’s men.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Correia, Mosquera, Ozkacar, Gasiorowski; Guerra, Pepelu; Gonzalez, Lopez, Canos; Duro
UNAVAILABLE: Domenech (Injured), Perez (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Vasquez (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
As mentioned, Real Sociedad have drifted significantly in the last few months and that is a pattern and a theme with the likely causation their aggressive press that means they do often start seasons very well. Valencia have also dwindled away this season but that is more a case of their defensive strategy being too cautious and, like Real Sociedad, unsustainable over the course of this season. Despite La Real’s indifferent recent form, they remain firm favourites for this one against a poor side, especially with their home advantage.
TIP: REAL SOCIEDAD TO WIN
