Real Sociedad vs Espanyol Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Real Sociedad started their season with a reasonable performance and result last week as they take on one of the surprises of the opening weekend, Espanyol.
Kick-off date/time:
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: Steady La Real
On the opening day of the campaign, Real Sociedad shared a 1-1 draw with Valencia at Mestalla. Valencia took a 57th minute lead via Diego Lopez, but Japan international winger Takefusa Kubo equalised a few minutes later for La Real.
The Basque outfit missed out on European qualification last season in what was an underwhelming campaign, and the last of the Imanol Aguacil era, with Imanol now replaced by Sergio Francisco, another former B team coach.
Espanyol preview: A surprise start
After a difficult summer in which Espanyol have lost key players such as Joan Garcia and Marash Kumbulla, the expectation was for the Catalans to struggle this season, but they have instead managed to start with a surprise victory.
With their own former B team coach Manolo Gonzalez still at the helm, Espanyol managed to come from behind, after a Julian Alvarez free-kick, to defeat Atletico Madrid by two goals to one at the RCDE Stadium last weekend.
Real Sociedad team news: Deep squad
Real Sociedad have a deep and impressive squad so they may be tempted to rotate on the second day of the season, but they have no fresh absentees for this one.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alex Remiro; Jon Aramburu, Igor Zubeldia, Caleta-Car, Aihen Munoz; Brian Turrientes, Pablo Marin; Kubo, Brais Mendez, Ander Barrenetxea; Mikel Oyarzabal
Unavailable:
Questionable: Jon Gorrotxategi (Injured)
Espanyol team news: Nothing fresh
There are no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues for Espanyol to deal with as they travel to San Sebastian, so they will be able to name an unchanged eleven.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Dmitrovic; El Hilali, Fernando Calero, Leandro Cabrera, Carlos Romero; Pol Lozano, Edu Exposito; Jofre Carreras, Ramon Terrats, Javi Puado; Roberto Fernandez
Unavailable: Javi Hernandez (Injured)
Questionable:
Real Sociedad vs Espanyol prediction
Real Sociedad will want to continue to play a suffocating and aggressive, pressing style of football that was what Imanol Aguacil introduced to the Reale Arena last season. They will want to be more effective and efficient in the final third. That will be difficult against an Espanyol side that have already shown they are difficult to break down from open play, and a low-scoring affair would appear quite likely for this one in the Basque Country.
Real Sociedad vs Espanyol tip: Under 2.5 goals
