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THE FACTS
When is Real Sociedad vs Celta Vigo on and what time does it start? Real Sociedad vs Celta Vigo will take place on Saturday 19th August, 2023 – 16:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Real Sociedad vs Celta Vigo? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Real Sociedad vs Celta Vigo on in the UK? Real Sociedad vs Celta Vigo will be televised live on LaLigaTV, but La Liga matches are also televised occasionally on Viaplay Sports and ITV
Where can I stream Real Sociedad vs Celta Vigo in the UK? Real Sociedad vs Celta Vigo can be streamed live on Viaplay, while ITV matches can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
REAL SOCIEDAD
Imanol Aguacil’s Real Sociedad have spent the last three or four seasons starting extremely well to the point whereby they enter the title race but then fading in the second-half of the campaign. Fortunately, though, last year they managed to hold on to the top four and qualify for the UEFA Champions League group stages with their aggressive and intense style of football – which, albeit the reason for their relative success, also the reason for, probably, fading later on in the season.
La Real began the 2023/24 La Liga campaign with a predictably low-scoring affair, although predictably both teams did score, as they shared a 1-1 draw with Girona on the opening day of the campaign last weekend. Takefusa Kubo gave the hosts an early lead before their Catalan opposition scored a second-half equaliser via Ukrainian international striker Artem Dovbyk.
CELTA VIGO
Celta Vigo’s last couple of seasons have underwhelming fights against relegation to the very end of the campaign, even after Carlos Carvalhal improved them mid-way through last year they still ended up drifting into a relegation battle with some terrible form towards the end of the season. Carvalhal was replaced by Rafa Benitez over the summer and the former Liverpool boss, given his reputation and style, is unlikely to allow his Galicians to be drawn into a battle.
The visitors did begin their season in very underwhelming style, though, losing 2-0 at home to Osasuna on the opening day at Balaidos. Ruben Garcia and Moi Gomez, mid-way through the first-half and then mid-way through the second-half respectively, gave Jagoba Arrasate’s men an impressive start to the campaign.
THE TEAM NEWS
REAL SOCIEDAD
Aguacil’s preferred formation for the last couple of seasons has been a squeezed, box formation in midfield, often reverting to a diamond with two up top, but he has also been known to play a back three with two up-front. The loss of David Silva due to an immediate retirement following an ACL injury sustained in pre-season means a 4-3-3 was deployed last week, in the absence of a creative midfield spark.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Remiro; Traore, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Munoz; Mendez, Zubimendi, Turrientes; Kubo, Fernandez, Oyarzabal
UNAVAILABLE: Elustondo (Injured), Merquelanz (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
CELTA VIGO
Rafa Benitez’s decision to bench both Luca de la Torre and Gabri Veiga is one that was disputed by many supporters and they both could well come into this team but Benitez may well fancy a bit of selection consistency at the start of a new season and a new job, rather than becoming a little bit desperate early on and searching for another formula.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Villar; Mingueza, Aidoo, Nunez, Cervi; Perez, Beltran, Sotelo, Bamba; Aspas, Strand Larsen
UNAVAILABLE: Marchesin (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Real Sociedad, whilst often gripping to watch with their intensity and aggression, often produced very low-scoring and cagey affairs in recent times. For example, the hosts scored just 51 goals in 38 matches last season in La Liga, despite finishing in the top four. Given the fact they now host a Rafa Benitez side looking to avoid back-to-back defeats to start the new campaign, they may well get their noses in front but it is unlikely to be thrilling or pretty for the neutral.
TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS