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THE FACTS
When is Real Sociedad vs Girona on and what time does it start? Real Sociedad vs Girona will take place on Saturday 12th August, 2023 – 16:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Real Sociedad vs Girona? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Real Sociedad vs Girona on in the UK? Real Sociedad vs Girona 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 Girona in the UK? Real Sociedad vs Girona can be streamed live on Viaplay, while ITV matches can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
REAL SOCIEDAD
Imanol Aguacil’s Real Sociedad finally broken into the top four last season. It had been three successive seasons of starting extremely well and seeming like potential surprise title challengers before fading away into the UEFA Europa League spots in the second-half of the season. Last year, though, they had built up enough of a gap to hold on to their place in the UEFA Champions League and have that to look forward to this time around.
They have lost a couple of relatively key players, though, after the late August departure of Alexander Isak last summer to Newcastle United, they have now sold Alexander Sorloth to Villarreal. David Silva has decided to immediately retire due to an ACL injury and their only arrivals have been Ham Traore on a free transfer from Stade Rennais and Portuguese international striker Andre Silva on loan from RB Leipzig.
GIRONA
Much like Real Sociedad, Girona punched above their weight last season and begin this year with the same man in the dugout. Michel’s Catalans were only promoted from the Segunda via the playoffs in the summer 2022. They then managed a top-half finish and only narrowly missed out on a top seven finish and UEFA Europa Conference League qualification. They were one of the most entertaining teams in the division, too, with only the top five teams scoring more goals than them but only the bottom four conceding more often.
Whilst Michel remains in charge, they have lost a couple of key and extremely important players to their system. Girona have lost their most important midfielder Oriol Romeu as he has joined their regional rivals Barcelona for a relatively low fee. They have also lost Valentin Castellanos, who was on loan from New York City, and has now joined Lazio for a relatively large fee.
THE TEAM NEWS
REAL SOCIEDAD
The way in which Real Sociedad squeeze their opposition in midfield is very impressive and La Real won’t necessarily miss David Silva for that reason. The key people to stay are Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Oyarzabal.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-1-2): Remiro; Elustondo, Pacheco, Le Normand, Rico; Zubimendi, Zubeldia, Merino; Kubo; Oyarzabal, Silva
UNAVAILABLE: Merquelanz (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
GIRONA
The loss of Romeu and Castellanos will cause an issue for the intensity of a 4-4-2 side set up by Michel, which is his preference. He is also without three players due to injuries and suspensions.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Gazzaniga; Couto, Juanpe, Blind, Gutierrez; Tsygankov, A.Garcia, Herrera, Savio; Dovbyk, Stuani
UNAVAILABLE: Espinosa (Suspended), Villa (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Artero (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
We head into this campaign with these two teams that are likely a little weaker than they were when they overachieved last season. Real Sociedad, under the management of Aguacil, have played an intense and fun style of football but they are often low-scoring. Girona, on the other hand, are usually very high-scoring, albeit the entire rhythm of their system will have been disrupted by the loss of Romeu. Given their home advantage, another lows-coring home win appears the likely outcome for this one.
TIP: REAL SOCIEDAD TO WIN & UNDER 3.5 GOALS