Real Sociedad vs Girona predictions and match preview for Saturday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as two European hopefuls meet.
| Date | Saturday 13th May 2023 |
| Kick-Off | 14:00 (CEST) |
| Stadium | Reale Arena |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Real Sociedad vs Girona Preview
Saturday’s action in the Spanish top flight kicks off at the Reale Arena. This is a game between two in-form teams and two sides gunning for European football in 2023/24. Real Sociedad are closing in on a Champions League place and they’d be on the brink of that with three more points here.
La Real currently hold a 7 point advantage on Villarreal in the race for 4th with only 5 games to play. It’s not quite job done given they’ve some tough games to come including matches against Barcelona and Atletico Madrid but they really should go on and clinch a return to Europe’s top competition from this point.
Imanol has faced a slight dilemma as to how best to fit Mikel Oyarzabal back into the team after long-term injury but now appears to have settled for something like a 4-3-3 system with Brais Mendez the most likely player to miss out from the team that excelled in the opening part of the campaign.
Home form has been key of late with four straight victories in Donostia enabling the Basque side to overcome what was a slight dip in form overall. Elche, Getafe, Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid have all lost here in recent weeks, although it’s true that Los Blancos were under-strength and far from their best when they travelled here 11 days ago.
As for Girona, they’re also enjoying a fine campaign and look on course for their best ever league finish. European football is now a real possibility with Real Madrid’s victory in the Copa del Rey Final last weekend ensuring 7th will be good enough for a place in the Conference League.
That’s the position the Catalans currently find themselves in. They’ve won their last 3 games and like their opponents here, also managed to see off Carlo Ancelotti’s side during the recent busy four-game stretch. Victories over Sevilla and Mallorca followed and it’s really impressive what Michel’s team have managed to do, despite some fairly serious injury issues in recent weeks.
Team News & Possible Lineups
Real Sociedad
| INJURED | Merquelanz, Sadiq, Brais Mendez |
| DOUBTFUL | Zubeldia |
| BANNED |
Possible XI: Remiro – Aihen, Le Normand, Aritz, Gorosabel – Zubimendi, Merino, Silva – Oyarzabal, Sorloth, Kubo (4-3-3)
Coach: Imanol Alguacil
Girona
| INJURED | Kebe, Roca, Villa, Borja Garcia, Aleix Garcia |
| DOUBTFUL | Castellanos, Herrera |
| BANNED |
Possible XI: Gazzaniga – Miguel, Bueno, Juanpe, Arnau – Tsygankov, Romeu, Ivan Martin – Riquelme, Stuani, Couto (4-3-3)
Coach: Michel
Score Prediction: Real Sociedad 2-1 Girona
This should be a competitive game and Girona will give as good as they get. They are well capable of causing problems down the flanks but they are set to be missing top scorer Taty Castellanos here and with Real Sociedad seemingly back towards their best, a home win looks the most likely outcome.
PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga predictions and previews 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.
