Real Sociedad vs Espanyol predictions and match preview for Sunday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as Diego Martinez takes his team to Donostia.
| Date | Sunday 18th September 2022 |
| Kick-Off | 18:30 (local time) |
| Stadium | Reale Arena |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Real Sociedad vs Espanyol Preview
The Reale Arena is the setting as Real Sociedad look to secure a second home win in four days with Espanyol the visitors. Imanol’s side have made a mixed start to the season in LaLiga and could do with putting three points on the board here against Diego Martinez’s side.
It has been a rollercoaster few weeks for Real Sociedad fans from Alexander Isak’s big money departure to the highs of victory at Old Trafford before a surprise defeat at struggling Getafe and the crushing blow of a potentially season-ending injury for record signing Umar Sadiq. Without the man bought to replace Isak and with Mikel Oyarzabal still sidelined, you do wonder where La Real’s goals are going to come from.
They found two on Thursday night to see off Cypriot side Omonia with Alexander Sorloth on target and the 26 year old Norwegian is the man most likely to fill that void. However this could be a tricky couple of months to navigate with the transfer window shut and the games coming thick and fast before the World Cup break. Imanol will need somebody to step up, although he can rely on his midfield to provide some goals with the likes of Take Kubo and Brais Mendez making quite positive starts to their careers in Donostia.
From an Espanyol perspective, it has also been a busy period with the Raul De Tomas saga finally reaching a conclusion this week with his transfer to Rayo Vallecano. They didn’t get anything like the fee they may have expected and it does feel like it has been poorly managed all round, although the player must also take responsibility and didn’t get the big move he was hoping for at the start of the summer.
On the pitch, it has been a bit disjointed so far for Espanyol and they don’t totally convince yet under Diego Martinez. They claimed their first win under his guidance a fortnight ago with a 1-0 win in the Basque Country against Athletic Club thanks to Martin Braithwaite’s late goal. However a very poor 1st Half display against Sevilla last weekend saw them fall 3-0 down at home, although they did fight back to almost salvage a point in the latter stages with Braithwaite again on target.
Team News & Possible Lineups
Real Sociedad
| INJURED | Oyarzabal, Merquelanz, Carlos Fernandez, Barrenetxea, Sadiq, Martin |
| DOUBTFUL | Le Normand |
| BANNED |
Possible XI: Remiro – Munoz, Pacheco, Elustondo, Gorosabel – Zubimendi – Merino, Silva, Mendez – Sorloth, Kubo (4-1-3-2)
Coach: Imanol Alguacil
Espanyol
| INJURED | Pedrosa, Lazo, Sanchez |
| DOUBTFUL | |
| BANNED |
Possible XI: Fernandez – Olivan, Cabrera, Calero, Gil – Exposito, Souza – Puado, Darder, Braithwaite – Joselu (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Diego Martinez
Score Prediction: Real Sociedad 1-1 Espanyol
Real Sociedad should control much of this game but in terms of firepower right now, you look at Espanyol with the likes of Joselu and in-form Martin Braithwaite up front and think they have the better options. They should also be a bit fresher after Real Sociedad’s Thursday night outing and Espanyol may just get a result here.
PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga predictions are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.
