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Both sides began their 2024/25 seasons with disappointing defeats as Espanyol started with a loss to fellow newly-promoted side Real Valladolid, whilst Real Sociedad were left stunned in the Basque Country as Rayo Vallecano won by two goals to one at the Anoeta.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday 24th August, 2024 - UK – 8:30pm / US ET – 3:30pm / US PT – 12:30pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Espanyol vs Real Sociedad may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
ESPANYOL PREVIEW: INEXPERIENCE OF THE CATALANS
Under new management in Manolo Gonzalez, formerly of Espanyol’s B team and promoted to the first-team managerial role as a result of Luis Garcia moving to the middle east to be Tintin Marquez’ assistant coach of the Qatari national team, Espanyol started their season frustratingly slowly.
They travelled to Real Valladolid, who gained automatic promotion above Espanyol in the Segunda last season, and suffered a slender 1-0 defeat. At the Jose Zorrilla, the Catalans found themselves behind after 23 minutes due to a strike from Raul Moro and, in a game with just three shots on target, they couldn’t fight back.
REAL SOCIEDAD PREVIEW: FINDING THEIR FEET
Imanol Aguacil expressed his pride in Martin Zubimendi for rejecting a move to Liverpool before the season but the Real Sociedad manager did explain he left out former Newcastle United midfielder Mikel Merino due to ongoing talks around his future with the Spain international the subject of interest from Liverpool.
Those off-field distractions will not help La Real and that potentially showed in their opening clash as they suffered a shock defeat at home to likely strugglers Rayo Vallecano last week. Jorge de Frutos and Sergio Camello both scored second-half goals before the aforementioned Martin Zubimendi scored what was a consolation deep into stoppage-time.
ESPANYOL TEAM NEWS: TRYING TO ADJUST
As Manolo Gonzalez tries to get his Espanyol first-team to adjust to his methods, he does have the blessing of having a fully fit and available squad for this weekend’s visit of Real Sociedad.
The home team opted to play a 5-3-2 against Valladolid last weekend, which was a surprise given that Manolo Gonzalez usually played with a 4-3-3 as the B team coach. There is talk that goalkeeper Joan Garcia could depart the club for Arsenal, too.
PREDICTED XI (5-3-2): Joan Garcia; Alvaro Tejero, El Hilali, Sergi Gomez, Leandro Cabrera, Carlos Romero; Pere Milla, Jose Gragera, Pol Lozano; Javi Puado, Veliz
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
REAL SOCIEDAD TEAM NEWS: DEFENSIVE ISSUES
At the time of writing, Mikel Merino remains a La Real player but he is once again expected to be left out of the squad but the key issues for Imanol Aguacil are at the back at the moment.
Centre-back Igor Zubeldia is unavailable due to injury as well as right-back Alvaro Odriozola and that follows on from the sale of Robin Le Normand to Atletico Madrid during the summer.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Alex Remiro; Traore, Aritz Elustondo, Jon Pacheco, Javi Lopez; Brais Mendez, Urko Gonzalez de Zarate, Benat Turrientes; Kubo, Mikel Oyarzabal, Becker
UNAVAILABLE: Igor Zubeldia (Injured), Alvaro Odriozola (Injured), Zakharyan (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
ESPANYOL VS REAL SOCIEDAD PREDICTION
Manolo Gonzalez has a really tough test here. Espanyol finished fourth in Segunda last season and had to overturn a playoff final deficit against Real Oviedo with the quality of their squad from that point hardly improving. Real Sociedad have issues of their own but they usually do start seasons well and last week may well have been a much-needed wake-up call as they travel to Catalonia.
ESPANYOL VS REAL SOCIEDAD TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – REAL SOCIEDAD TO WIN OR DRAW