Real Sociedad vs Espanyol Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Real Sociedad started the season slowly before drifting and they are now in the midst of some poor form as La Real take on a struggling Espanyol side to the Basque Country this weekend.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 9th February, 2025: UK – 5:30pm / US ET – 12:30pm / US PT – 9:30am
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Real Sociedad vs Espanyol may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Real Sociedad Preview: La Real slipping
Imanol Aguacil has received criticism from his own players this season, including club captain Mikel Oyarzabal, and Real Sociedad have endured a very difficult campaign as they sit in the bottom-half of La Liga ahead of this weekend.
La Real did manage a 2-0 defeat of Osasuna in midweek in the cup but their 2-1 loss to the same opposition La Liga was their third successive loss as they struggle for goals with just 18 goals scored in 22 matches in the league so far this season.
Espanyol Preview: Improving Espanyol
Espanyol are very much involved in the relegation battle in La Liga as they hover just above the bottom three and the relegation places with the Catalans having enjoyed a four-match unbeaten run of form in the league.
The visitors come into this one on the back of a slender but impressive 1-0 defeat of Real Madrid at the RCDE Stadium in Catalonia with Carlos Romero scoring a potential pivotal goal for Manolo Gonzalez’ side in the 85th minute.
Real Sociedad Team News: Defensive issues
Former Stade Rennais right-back Ham Traore is unavailable for this weekend as he deals with an ACL injury. Key centre-back Igor Zubeldia is also a key doubt alongside former Real Madrid defender Alvaro Odriozola.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Alex Remiro; Jon Aramburu, Aihen Munoz, Ageurd, Javi Lopez; Martin Zubimendi; Kubo, Sucic, Julen Olasagasti, Ander Barrenetxea; Mikel Oyarzabal
Unavailable: Traore (Injured)
Questionable: Igor Zubeldia (Injured), Alvaro Odriozola (Injured)
Espanyol Team News: Carlos Romero suspended
The aforementioned hero against Real Madrid, Carlos Romero, is unavailable for this weekend as he is missing through suspension with Espanyol also dealing with a few injury absentees such as Fernando Pacheco and Urko Gonzalez.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia; El Hilali, Kumbulla, Leandro Cabrera, Sergi Gomez; Pol Lozano, Edu Exposito; Jofre Carreras, Kral, Javi Puado; Veliz
Unavailable: Fernando Pacheco (Injured), Carlos Romero (Suspended), Urko Gonzalez (Injured), Jose Gragera (Injured)
Questionable: Brian Olivan (Injured)
Real Sociedad vs Espanyol Prediction
Real Sociedad have scored just 18 goals so far in La Liga, as mentioned, with their intense pressing style of football perhaps meaning they lack energy in attack – which has been the case in the second-half of each of the last three or four seasons. They now face an Espanyol side that are attempting to avoid the drop this season by being defensive and difficult to beat so, as a result, this seems very likely to be a low-scoring affair.
Real Sociedad vs Espanyol Tip: Under 2.5 goals
