Real Sociedad vs Espanyol predictions, H2H and match preview for this Thursday’s game in LaLiga. Read on for analysis, free betting tips and predicted line-ups as two out-of-form teams meet in San Sebastian.
by Mark Sochon (@marksoc1)
Real Sociedad vs Espanyol Preview
Thursday’s action in LaLiga commences in the Basque Country where Espanyol are hunting a victory that would just give them the faintest glimmer of hope in their battle to avoid relegation. They take on the top flight’s most out of form side but Real Sociedad will see this as a good chance to get their European push back on track.
La Real have been the big losers from the break to the season. Their talented young team looked to be on the cusp of potentially not only ending the club’s long trophy drought but also clinching Champions League qualification when Spain went into lockdown. However 4 straight defeats mean they head into this game in danger of missing out on European football altogether and a possible season-ending injury to Martin Odegaard adds to their woes.
Their situation is still considerably brighter than that of Espanyol. Their 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid last time out, their third loss in a row, combined with other results that went against them, means they are now a huge 10 points from safety. The reasoning behind the decision to sack Abelardo, who had at least generated some kind of improvement, remains baffling and it’s all a far cry from the end of last season when a pitch invasion and joyous scenes greeted Espanyol’s qualification for Europe at the expense of Real Sociedad on the final weekend.
These clubs have largely gone in opposite directions since but Real Sociedad’s recent poor form is a worry and many neutrals will be hoping they can get back on track and reach Europe having played some of the most exciting football in LaLiga this term.
We have LaLiga match previews for every game this week plus predictions for all Segunda Division games.
Real Sociedad vs Espanyol Predictions
Score Prediction: 1-0 Real Sociedad
With the games coming around so quickly, there is precious little time for either team to regroup and figure out what is going wrong. La Real have lost their last 4 and Espanyol their last 3 but the hosts are the team with more quality and they also have something to fight for whereas in truth even the visiting players here must know that the game is up for Espanyol now. We’re going for La Real to claim a much needed victory but it could be tight.
LaLiga Expert Betting Tips (18+)
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Real Sociedad vs Espanyol H2H
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 3 Real Sociedad Wins, 2 Espanyol Wins, 1 Draw.
- La Real have won the 2 meetings so far this season.
- They won 3-1 at Espanyol in September in LaLiga and beat them 2-0 at Anoeta in the Copa del Rey in January.
- Both teams have scored in the last 4 league meetings at Anoeta.
Predicted Line Ups
Real Sociedad Team:
Remiro – Monreal, Llorente, Elustondo, Zaldua – Merino, Zubeldia – Januzaj, Oyarzabal, Portu – Jose (4-2-3-1)
Espanyol Team:
Lopez – Vila, Cabrera, Espinosa, Gomez – Embarba, Roca, Lopez, Darder – Wu, De Tomas (4-4-2)
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