Real Sociedad vs Granada Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Spanish Primera
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THE FACTS
When is Real Sociedad vs Granada on and what time does it start? Real Sociedad vs Granada will take place on Saturday 2nd September, 2023 – 13:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Real Sociedad vs Granada? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Real Sociedad vs Granada on in the UK? Real Sociedad vs Granada 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 Granada in the UK? Real Sociedad vs Granada can be streamed live on Viaplay, while ITV matches can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
REAL SOCIEDAD
Over the past three of four seasons, despite generally performing very well, Real Sociedad have often begun a campaign extremely well before fading through the middle and latter stages. They did so again last season but, this time, managed to cling on to a top four spot and, therefore, UEFA Champions League qualification.
Under the management of Imanol Aguacil, La Real play quite a defensive and rugged style of football, albeit it tends to be quite intense and therefore quite entertaining. They started the season with a 1-1 draw at home to Girona, in which they conceded a late equaliser and did the exact same thing a week later at home to Celta. Last weekend, they shared a goalless draw in the Canary Islands away to newly-promoted Las Palmas.
GRANADA
In the early stages of last season, following relegation from La Liga in 2022, Granada were struggling in the second-tier and decided they had to move on from former Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka, replacing him with the exciting style of former Levante boss Paco Lopez. Lopez guided Granada to top spot and the Segunda title in the remainder of the season.
Despite the impressive of last season’s promotion, Granada, naturally start as one of the favourites for relegation back down to the second-tier. Their opening match saw them defeated at Atletico Madrid but they did put in a reasonable performance before a poor 2-0 defeat at home to Rayo Vallecano. They managed their first win and points of the season, though, in an entertaining 3-2 victory at home to Real Mallorca.
THE TEAM NEWS
REAL SOCIEDAD
Imanol Aguacil will remain without the long-term absentees of Aritz Elustondo and Mikel Merquelanz, who are out of this weekend due to injury.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Remiro; Traore, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Munoz; Zubimendi, Merino; Kubo, Mendez, Barrenetxea; Fernandez
UNAVAILABLE: Elustondo (Injured), Merquelanz (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
GRANADA
Paco Lopez will be keen to keep the same eleven as last weekend but they remain without injured duo Jesus Vallejo and Raul Torrente for this weekend.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Raul; Sanchez, Miguel Angel, Miquel, Neva; Melendo, Gumbau, Ruiz, Callejon; Uzunu, Zaragoza
UNAVAILABLE: Vallejo (Injured), Torrente (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Real Scoiedad have often been quite low-scoring, despite their intense style of football. La Real started with back-to-back score draws and they have looked a little vulnerable whenever a side has put together a cohesive move. Despite beginning with two defeats, Granada have offered cohesive moves throughout the opening stages of this campaign. Given that the Andalusians, under Paco Lopez, will seek to attack the hosts, this one could be a relatively entertaining encounter.
TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
