Real Valladolid vs Real Sociedad Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 Spanish Primera
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Following promotion to the Spanish top-flight last season, Real Valladolid have had a tricky start to the campaign with one win in their opening five matches as they face an underperforming Real Sociedad side at the Jose Zorrilla this weekend.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday 21st September, 2024 - UK – 1:00pm / US ET – 8:00am / US PT – 5:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Real Valladolid vs Real Sociedad may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
REAL VALLADOLID PREVIEW: STRUGGLE SINCE THE START
Real Valladolid finished as runners’ up in the Segunda last season and managed to maintain their biggest asset, manager Paolo Pezzolano, with owner and chairman, Ronaldo, making it a priority. They have had tough tests against Real Madrid and Barcelona, coming away from those matches with an aggregate scoreline of a 10-0 defeat, but performances have been average.
Valladolid’s most recent outing saw them comfortably defeated at Balaidos up in Galicia against Celta Vigo. Hugo Alvarez opened the scoring for Celta after 22 minutes before Borja Iglesias made it 2-0. Raul Moro pulled one back but Mario Martin’s late red card was followed by a clinching goal scored by Tasos Douvikas.
REAL SOCIEDAD PREVIEW: LA REAL IN STRIFE
A pattern has developed in the last few years whereby Real Sociedad have started seasons exceptionally well before drifting in the second-half of the campaign. La Real have one of the most intense pressing styles in Europe and supporters will have to hope Imanol Aguacil has simply tweaked his methods because the season has started really poorly this time.
The Basque club have managed just one win in their opening six La Liga games which, for a team that would fancy their chances of challenging for the top four, is really underwhelming. In midweek, they suffered a 1-0 defeat in the Balearic Islands against Real Mallorca with Abdon Prats scoring a 36th minute winning penalty.
REAL VALLADOLID TEAM NEWS: MARIO MARTIN’S SUSPENSION
As mentioned, Real Madrid loanee Mario Martin was sent off last weekend and he is now unavailable for this one due to suspension so there will have to be a shake up in midfield.
Kike Perez is also out injured for this weekend’s clash with former Birmingham City winger Ivan Sanchez a doubt alongside central midfielder Anuar.
PREDICTED XI (5-3-2): Hein; Lucas Perez, Cumart, Ozkacar, Rosa, Ndiaye; Victor Meseguer, Juric, Amallah; Chuki, Juanmi Latasa
UNAVAILABLE: Mario Martin (Suspended), Kike Perez (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Anuar (Injured), Ivan Sanchez (Injured)
REAL SOCIEDAD TEAM NEWS: BRAIS MENDEZ STILL MISSING
There are plenty of issues for Real Sociedad to deal with ahead of their clash at the Jose Zorrilla this weekend with the biggest absentee remaining attacking midfielder Brais Mendez.
Also of huge significance is the absence of former Rennes defender Ham Traore alongside Urko Gonzalez de Zarate and Russian midfielder Arsen Zakharyan.
PREDICTED XI (4-1-4-1): Alex Remiro, Aritz Elustondo, Igor Zubeldia, Ageurd, Alex Munoz; Martin Zubimendi; Sergio Gomez, Bryan Turrientes, Sucic, Ander Barrenetxea; Mikel Oyarzabal
UNAVAILABLE: Traore (Injured), Urko Gonzalez de Zarate (Injured), Zakharyan (Injured), Brais Mendez (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
REAL VALLADOLID VS REAL SOCIEDAD PREDICTION
Real Valladolid are better than what they have shown so far this season. The major criticism of Paolo Pezzolano would be the amount of rotation he has done, leading to a lack of fluency and ‘automatism’ within the Valladolid setup. They now face a Real Sociedad side that, as mentioned, should play with intensity but have lacked that and have struggled for any creativity, too, so a low-scoring encounter seems inevitable.
REAL VALLADOLID VS REAL SOCIEDAD TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS
