Real Sociedad vs Espanyol
Spanish LaLiga
Thursday, 2 July 2020.
Kick off 18:30 UK/ 19:30 CET
Reale Seguros Stadium, San Sebastian.
Match preview
Sociedad are still in contention for a top-six finish, but their Champions League qualification hopes were treated as a blow to other European hopefuls Getafe enjoyed a 2-1 win against men Imanol Alguacil Monday evening.
Two goals from Jaime Mata either side of a strike Adnan Januzaj Sociedad condemned to their fourth consecutive defeat in Spanish top flight, and the Whites and the Blues are still looking for their first win since the league returned to action earlier in June.
Sociedad have accumulated 47 points in 32 games this term, leaving all four points behind sixth place Villarreal and seven top-down four drift of things.
The forced shutdown coronavirus could not have come at a worse time for a Sociedad side that had won seven of their last eight in all competitions before the game was stopped, and Alguacil will probably aware that Thursday's clash with Espanyol represents the perfect opportunity for his side to achieve three key points on the map.
The Whites and the Blues will try to record their first home win since February midweek after Osasuna drew and lost to Real Madrid and Celta Vigo at the Anoeta stadium following the resumption of the league.
Meanwhile, the threat of relegation looming over Espanyol that they remain in 20th place with six gameweeks of the remaining season.
Los Periquitos lost its third game on the bounce against table-toppers Real Madrid on Sunday with Casemiro winning goal for Los Blancos just before the whistle for halftime.
The first game of Francisco Rufete in charge could not be a more difficult instrument against shaped side Madrid but defeat men Zinedine Zidane means Espanyol are now 10 points adrift of safety at this late stage of the campaign .
Los Periquitos restarted their season in perfect fashion with a 2-0 win over Deportivo Alavés, but Espanyol have since been unable to carry that momentum forward and will need a miraculous turnaround if they are to produce great escape from the relegation zone.
The chances of side of the basement of the Liga kickstart a European recovery against HOPES Sociedad is very unlikely, however, that men have Rufete picked up a league victory away from home in their last 11 attempts.
Sociedad enjoyed a 3-1 win in the back game back in September, with Willian José Alexander and Isak on target for men alguazil stage CRED.
NEWS TEAM
REAL SOCIEDAD
Predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Alex Remiro; Zaldua Diego Llorente, Normand, Ahien Munoz; Zubeldia, Mikel Merino; Portu, Januzaj, Oyarzabal; Willian José
Not available: Sangalli (injured), Guevara (injured), Barrenetxea (injured), Illarramendi (injured), Odegaard (injured)
doubtful:
ESPANYOL
Predicted line-up (4-4-2): Diego Lopez; Javi Lopez Cabrera Espinosa, Didac Vila; Sergi Darder, Marco Roca, David Lopez, Adri Embarba; Calleri, Raul Tomas
Not available: Corchia (Hurt), Ferreyra (Hurt)
doubtful:
Real Sociedad vs Espanyol Prediction
Sociedad has a problem or two to sort out before the game and there is no doubt about that.
Imanol Alguacil and his men will have their best chance to get back in the league to confirm their trip to Europe League.
Espanyol performed well in their first game with new coach, but could not get the three points is what counts in the table. They came close to scoring but were prefigured the absence of a good finisher in the eleven.
The victory at home full-time is a good option, but given the risks to their shape, the draw bet will be a safer approach to the game with 1.40 odds for bettors.
Real scored in most of their last home games and their average rating suggests that we can expect two goals in ninety minutes. The tip over 1.5 goals will be an appropriate option for punters in the game.
Real Sociedad vs Espanyol betting tips
Draw bet: Real Sociedad @ 1.40 (2/5).
Over 1.5 goals @ 1.40 (2/5).
