Real Sociedad vs Espanyol predictions, H2H and match preview for this Monday’s game in La Liga. Read on for analysis, betting tips and predicted line-ups as both sides look to build on wins last weekend.
DATE/TIME – Monday 14th January 2019, 21:00 (Spanish Time)
STADIUM – Anoeta
COMPETITION – La Liga
#RealSociedadEspanyol
After this Monday’s match, La Liga will be at the exact halfway point with all teams having played 19 games. Real Sociedad and Espanyol both find themselves nestled into a congested mid-table. A good run of form could propel either into European contention but by the same token, a winless streak could lead to a relegation battle so it’s still too early to say how this campaign is going to pan out for either team.
Espanyol started the season like a house on fire but badly lost their way with a 6 game losing streak in November and December. Their victory over Leganes last weekend was therefore a significant one but they could do with improving their away record. They’ve only won once on the road this term, at bottom club Huesca, and only 25% of their points have come away from the RCDE Stadium.
Real Sociedad have had the opposite problem. They’ve flourished on the road, not least last weekend when they were shock 2-0 winners at the Bernabeu. However at home, it’s just 1 win in 8 to date, a very poor record in their newly renovated home. That was the main reason why Asier Garitano was shown the door but they have a familiar pair of hands in charge now in the shape of Imanol Alguacil. He did well in a caretaker capacity at the end of last season and couldn’t have made a better start to this stint in charge of La Real.
The visitors are likely to be without key centre-back Mario Hermoso here, which is a big blow for them while Sergio Garcia remains sidelined. Sociedad must decide whether to alter a winning team from the Bernabeu or recall Theo Hernandez, who was ineligible against his parent club.
Real Sociedad vs Espanyol Predictions
Score Prediction: 2-0 Real Sociedad
Betting Tip: Sociedad Win @ 2.05 with Spin Palace Sports
We are going for a Sociedad Win here. They are certainly due a change in fortune at home and a new man at the helm could bring that. The players clearly believe in Imanol Alguacil and his methods have yielded results and they have enough creativity to break down this Espanyol back-line.
Real Sociedad vs Espanyol H2H
- Last 6 meetings: 2 Sociedad Wins, 2 Espanyol Wins, 2 Draws.
- Espanyol are unbeaten on their last 3 trips to the Anoeta.
- All of the last 4 meetings have seen both teams score.
- The sides haven’t met since March 2018, a 2-1 Espanyol win in Barcelona.
One to Watch – Adnan Januzaj
Oyarzabal will get the headlines due to his numbers, but let’s not overlook the influence of Januzaj for Real Sociedad. Still only 23-years-old… pic.twitter.com/794WjtaTdG
— Talking LaLiga (@TalkingLaLiga) November 26, 2018
While still a touch inconsistent, Adnan Januzaj has shown real signs that he is starting to get his career back on track with some excellent displays this term. He should be a threat a here.
Keep tabs on all our La Liga betting tips.
Predicted Line Ups
Real Sociedad Team:
Rulli – Elustondo, Moreno, Llorente, Hernandez – Merino, Illarramendi – Januzaj, Zurutza, Oyarzabal – Willian Jose (4-2-3-1)
Espanyol Team:
Lopez – Vila, Duarte, David Lopez, Javi Lopez – Granero, Roca, Darder – Melendo, Iglesias, Baptistao (4-3-3)
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