Sports Mole previews Saturday’s La Liga clash between Espanyol and Real Sociedad, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Real Sociedad will be aiming to bounce back from their defeat on the opening weekend of the 2024-25 La Liga campaign when they head to RCDE Stadium on Saturday to tackle Espanyol.
The visitors suffered a 2-1 loss to Rayo Vallecano in their season opener, while Espanyol were beaten 1-0 by Real Valladolid in their first match back at this level following their promotion last term.
Match preview
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Espanyol have spent two of their last four seasons in the Segunda Division, but they managed to secure a return to the top flight through the second-tier playoffs last term, beating Sporting Gijon and Oviedo in the semi-finals and final respectively to rise back to La Liga.
The Catalan outfit’s squad has been boosted with the arrivals of six new players this summer, but Martin Braithwaite is a notable departure considering that he scored 22 times in all competitions last term.
The White and Blues were beaten 1-0 by Real Valladolid in their 2024-25 season opener, with Raul Moro‘s 23rd-minute effort proving to be the difference between the two sides, and there is pressure on Espanyol to bounce back in front of their own fans this weekend.
Espanyol are on a three-game losing run against Real Sociedad in La Liga, including a 3-2 defeat when the two teams last locked horns in February 2023.
The Catalan team have a recent home success over Real Sociedad to their name, though, recording a 1-0 victory when the two teams met in the corresponding fixture during the 2021-22 season.
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Real Sociedad struggled in their campaign opener with Rayo Vallecano, with Imanol Alguacil‘s side finding themselves 2-0 down in the 84th minute after Sergio Camello had added to an effort from Jorge de Frutos.
The Basque side managed to score in the 98th minute through Martin Zubimendi, but it was too little, too late, as the new season started on a disappointing note for La Real.
The White and Blues finished sixth in La Liga last season to secure Europa League football for this term, and they are now expected to keep hold of leading midfield player Zubimendi, with the Euro 2024 winner turning down the chance to make the move to Liverpool this summer.
However, Mikel Merino is on the verge of completing a switch to Arsenal, while Robin Le Normand has left for Atletico Madrid, so Real Sociedad are set to be two key players down from last season.
A top-six challenge is still to be expected, though, and they have managed to make three signings this summer, bringing in Luka Sucic, Sergio Gomez and Javi Lopez to boost their squad for the 2024-25 campaign.
Espanyol La Liga form:
Real Sociedad La Liga form:
Team News
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Espanyol will again be without the services of midfielder Edu Exposito due to a ligament problem, but the home side are otherwise in strong shape heading into this contest.
It is likely that head coach Gonzalez will make a couple of alterations to his side on Saturday, with Alex Kral and Alvaro Aguado potentially being introduced to strengthen the midfield.
Javi Puado scored 16 league goals last season and will continue in the final third of the field, while there should be another start for on-loan Tottenham Hotspur attacker Alejo Veliz.
As for Real Sociedad, Zubimendi is set to come into the side after being a half-time substitute against Rayo Vallecano, while it is also likely that Ander Barrenetxea will be introduced into the XI.
Head coach Alguacil will resist the temptation to make wholesale changes, though, especially with three players again set to miss out due to fitness problems.
Indeed, Alvaro Odriozola, Igor Zubeldia and Arsen Zakharyan will again be missing for Real Sociedad, while Merino, as mentioned, is on the verge of joining Arsenal, so the Spaniard will be a notable absentee.
Espanyol possible starting lineup:
Garcia; Tejero, El Hilali, S Gomez, Cabrera, Romero; Milla, Kral, Aguado; Puado, Veliz
Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Traore, Elustondo, Pacheco, J Lopez; Mendez, Zubimendi, Turrientes; Kubo, Oyarzabal, Barrenetxea
We say: Espanyol 1-2 Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad will be desperate to bounce back from what was a shock result in their season opener. It would not be a surprise to see a draw on Saturday, but we just have a feeling that the Basque outfit will be able to navigate their way to an important three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.