Match Preview: Espanyol vs Real Sociedad
Date and time: 24 Aug 2024 at 19:30 UTC
Stadium: RCDE Stadium
Location: Barcelona
Referee: Mario Melero
Historical Head-to-Head (H2H):
– 2023-02-13: Espanyol 2-3 Real Sociedad
– 2022-09-18: Real Sociedad 2-1 Espanyol
– 2022-04-04: Real Sociedad 1-0 Espanyol
– 2021-11-28: Espanyol 1-0 Real Sociedad
– 2020-07-02: Real Sociedad 2-1 Espanyol
– 2020-01-22: Real Sociedad 2-0 Espanyol
– 2019-09-22: Espanyol 1-3 Real Sociedad
– 2019-05-18: Espanyol 2-0 Real Sociedad
– 2019-01-14: Real Sociedad 3-2 Espanyol
– 2018-03-11: Espanyol 2-1 Real Sociedad
Team Formations and Key Players:
Espanyol:
– Formation: Likely to play a 4-4-2 formation.
– Starters:
– Goalkeeper: Joan Garcia Pons (1)
– Defenders: Alvaro Tejero (2), Omar El Hilali (23), Sergi Gomez (3), Leandro Cabrera (6)
– Midfielders: Carlos Romero (22), Pol Lozano (10), Jose Gragera (15), Pere Milla (11)
– Forwards: Alejo Véliz (9), Javi Puado (7)
– Key Players:
– Javi Puado: Forward, offensive threat
– Pere Milla: Midfield dynamo
– Joan Garcia Pons: Reliable presence in goal
18+ Terms and Conditions apply.
Real Sociedad:
– Formation: Likely to play a 4-3-3 formation.
– Starters:
– Goalkeeper: Álex Remiro (1)
– Defenders: Hamari Traoré (18), Aritz Elustondo (6), Jon Pacheco (20), Javi López (12)
– Midfielders: Brais Méndez (23), Beñat Turrientes (22), Urko González (15)
– Forwards: Takefusa Kubo (14), Mikel Oyarzabal (10), Sheraldo Becker (11)
– Key Players:
– Takefusa Kubo: Forward, creative spark
– Mikel Oyarzabal: Forward, goal-scorer
– Álex Remiro: Strong goalkeeping abilities
Recent Form:
Espanyol:
– Recent 1-0 loss to Real Valladolid in La Liga.
– Mixed friendly results: loss to FC Heidenheim (2-1), draws with Toulouse (0-0) and Girona (0-0).
Real Sociedad:
– Recent 2-1 loss to Rayo Vallecano in La Liga.
– Mixed friendly results: draw with Union Berlin (1-1), loss to Rennes (2-0).
Strengths and Considerations:
Espanyol:
– Strengths: Home ground advantage; cohesive defensive unit.
– Considerations: Need to convert chances effectively; improve offensive output.
Real Sociedad:
– Strengths: Potent attack with Kubo and Oyarzabal; solid midfield control.
– Considerations: Defensive consistency; adjusting to away game pressures.
Prediction:
Given both teams’ recent performances, home advantage for Espanyol, and Real Sociedad’s offensive threat:
– Final Score: Espanyol 1-2 Real Sociedad
– Predicted Scorers:
– Espanyol: Javi Puado
– Real Sociedad: Mikel Oyarzabal, Takefusa Kubo
Real Sociedad’s attacking quality and Espanyol’s recent struggles might see the away team edge out a close victory.
18+ Terms and Conditions apply.