Alaves vs Real Sociedad predictions, H2H and match preview for this Thursday’s game in La Liga. Read on for analysis and predicted line-ups ahead of this Basque derby.
by Mark Sochon (@marksoc1)
Alaves vs Real Sociedad Preview
The second Basque derby of this matchday kicks off in Vitoria on Thursday as Alaves entertain Real Sociedad. Neither side made convincing starts to this final part of the season and both will be hungry for the points here for different reasons.
Alaves are one of those sides that would be in danger of getting sucked into the relegation picture if they do take their time to find their groove again. Their first game back was a bit of a disaster with a moment of madness from keeper Fernando Pacheco seeing them reduced to 10 men after just 19 minutes at Espanyol. That left them on the backfoot for virtually the entire game and they didn’t even manage to muster up a single shot on goal in a 2-0 defeat against the league’s bottom club.
Asier Garitano will want a much better showing as he faces his old side here. He would have taken some encouragement from a slightly lacklustre showing from Real Sociedad at the weekend. They didn’t play anywhere near their usual level in a 1-1 home draw against Osasuna. They’ll be hoping to cement themselves in the top four by getting back to winning ways here.
Alaves will be able to name a stronger eleven here than they did in Barcelona despite the suspension of their goalkeeper. Aleix Vidal and Joselu are both available again and should start and they are also hopeful that Lucas Perez will be fit, which would restore their first choice strike pairing which has been so effective this season.
Real Sociedad meanwhile have Mikel Merino suspended which could see Diego Llorente step into the midfield although long-term absentee Asier Illarramendi is available again but will struggle to get through 90 minutes having missed virtually the entire season.
Read more: La Liga matchday 28 Review
Alaves vs Real Sociedad Predictions
Score Prediction: 1-1 Draw
Both sides have had a decent break since their last match and we should see improved showings from both sides. La Real have enough quality to win it but if Alaves can manage to find some kind of home advantage on a ground where they are usually strong, they look capable of getting a point, particularly with far greater options in attack than they had in their last match.
Alaves vs Real Sociedad Betting Tips (18+)
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Alaves vs Real Sociedad H2H
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 4 Real Sociedad Wins, 2 Alaves Wins.
- Real Sociedad were convincing 3-0 winners against Alaves earlier this term.
- They’ve also won on their last 2 league visits to this ground.
- Alaves’ last victory over La Real came at Anoeta in December 2018.
Predicted Line Ups
Alaves Team:
Jimenez – Duarte, Laguardia, Ely, Navarro – Mendez, Garcia, Pina, Vidal – Joselu, Perez (4-4-2)
Real Sociedad Team:
Remiro – Monreal, Llorente, Elustondo, Zaldua – Zubeldia, Guevara, Odegaard – Oyarzabal, Isak, Portu (4-3-3)
We will have match previews for every game in La Liga this season.
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