Match Overview

The second-round clash in La Liga between Real Sociedad and Espanyol is set to take place on August 24th at the Reale Arena in San Sebastián. This preview offers an in-depth look at the match, including our prediction, betting odds, and key statistics for the Real Sociedad vs Espanyol encounter.

Real Sociedad

Real Sociedad’s Form Heading into Matchday 2

Under the guidance of Sergio Francisco, the Txuri-Urdin commenced their new league campaign with an away fixture. Facing Valencia, the San Sebastián outfit managed to secure a 1-1 draw. However, their overall performance in the last nine La Liga matches has been less than stellar, yielding only a single victory, alongside three draws and five defeats. Notably, for three consecutive seasons, the Basque club has failed to register a win in their opening La Liga encounter, with two draws and one loss.

Key Real Sociedad Statistics

• Fewer than three goals have been scored in five of Real Sociedad’s last seven championship matches.
• The Basque team has scored no more than one goal in six of their last seven La Liga fixtures.
• The team has avoided defeat in the first half in 11 of their last 13 home league games (six wins and five draws). 

Anticipated Real Sociedad Lineup (4-3-3)* 

Alex Remiro – Aihen Muñoz, Jon Aramburu, Igor Zubeldia, Duje Ćaleta-Car – Beñat Turrientes, Pablo Marín, Brais Méndez – Ander Barrenetxea, Takefusa Kubo, Mikel Oyarzabal.  

Espanyol

Espanyol’s Strong Start and Away Form

The Catalan club enjoyed a superb start to their new season. Manolo González’s squad hosted last season’s bronze medalist in La Liga, Atlético Madrid, and delivered a surprising 2-1 victory. Impressively, Espanyol managed to come from behind during that encounter. This performance underscored their threat when playing at their home ground. However, their away record remains a concern, as they have failed to win in their last four consecutive La Liga road fixtures, recording one draw and three losses.

Espanyol’s Key Performance Indicators

• Exactly two or three goals have been recorded in Espanyol’s last four championship games.
• Espanyol has secured only three victories in their last 20 away La Liga matches, alongside four draws and 13 defeats.
• The team has found the back of the net in eight of their previous ten away La Liga games. 

Expected Espanyol Starting XI (4-3-3)*   

Marko Dmitrović – Omar El-Hilali, Fernando Calero, Carlos Romero, Leandro Cabrera – Ramón Terrats, Edu Expósito, Pol Lozano – Jofre Carreras, Roberto Fernández Jaén, Javi Puado.  

Match Prediction: Real Sociedad vs Espanyol

Head-to-Head Analysis and Home Advantage

The San Sebastián side holds a favorable historical record against Espanyol in the league. The Basque club has triumphed in their last five head-to-head matches, with each victory being decided by a narrow one-goal margin. Furthermore, all five most recent encounters between these two teams at the Reale Arena in La Liga have concluded with a home win for Real Sociedad.

The Verdict: Real Sociedad to Prevail

While Espanyol demonstrates considerable strength on their home turf, their away performances are significantly less convincing. In the previous league season, the Catalan team suffered 13 defeats in 19 away fixtures. Conversely, Real Sociedad is renowned for its strong home form, having secured seven victories in their last 13 La Liga matches played at their own stadium. Taking these factors into account, I anticipate the home side will emerge victorious in this contest.

Final Betting Tip

My prediction – “Real Sociedad to Win” with odds of 1.83

Author’s Note

Author: Oleksandr Oleksenko

Disclaimer on Lineups

* The indicated starting lineup for each team is based on their last match appearance in this tournament.