Verdict: Real Sociedad win
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Hoping to widen their buffer over the drop zone on Friday night, Real Sociedad will welcome Girona to the Basque Country.
Real Sociedad
Starting with the hosts, while Real Sociedad might have appeared to have turned a real corner on either side of November’s international break, Sergio Francisco’s camp have once again shown some glaring inconsistencies. Last seen putting in a downbeat display as they slumped to a 1-0 loss away at Alaves, the Basque-based outfit have suffered consecutive La Liga defeats and are looking over their shoulder at a looming relegation scrap. However, pencilled in as a standout contender here, Francisco’s men should take some solace from their overall success on home soil. Despite being last seen at the Reale Arena getting hit with an action-packed 3-2 loss against Villarreal, Sociedad have won each of their other three La Liga showdowns in the Basque Country.
Real Sociedad Team News
Once again missing out against Alaves last weekend and dealing with a recent muscle issue, Real Sociedad are still sweating over the fitness of attacking talisman Mikel Oyarzabal. Likewise, enduring a real injury crisis since completing a summer switch from Girona, Venezuelan international Yangel Herrera will miss out against his former club on Friday night.
While Japanese ace Takefusa Kubo might have failed to find the net since the opening weekend, the 24-year-old will play a leading role in the final third. Completing a permeant switch from Wolves over the summer, Gonzalo Guedes will feature here.
Girona
As for the visitors, while Girona might have eventually dragged themselves over the finishing line last season as they clung to their La Liga status, Michel’s men have an almighty battle on their hands this time around. Last seen putting in another worrying performance as the slumped to a 3-0 drumming at the hands of Elche, the Basque-based outfit have rightfully come under serious scrutiny. Despite signing off November with a shock 1-1 stalemate at home against Real Madrid, Girona have mustered just a sole win from any of their previous seven La Liga appearances. Likewise, watching their Copa del Rey adventure come to an end following a 2-1 loss against third-tier outfit Ourense, Michel’s downbeat squad look set for what will be another tricky test on their travels this weekend.
Girona Team News
Dealing with what has quickly become a stacked injury list in Catalonia, Girona will once again be unable to call upon the likes of Ricard Artero, Abel Ruiz, Cristhian Stuani and former Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek. However, serving a domestic suspension over the weekend, Azzedine Ounahi will return to Michel’s travelling squad.
Completing a season-long loan switch from Manchester City over the summer, 19-year-old Vitor Reis will start at the heart of Girona’s defence on Friday night. Despite still waiting to open his La Liga account, one-time Tottenham youngster Bryan Gil will feature in the final third.
Real Sociedad vs Girona Key Factors to Consider
- When Real Sociedad last welcomed Girona to the Reale Arena back on May 18th, Friday’s hosts clinched a rollercoaster 3-2 victory.
- In fact, La Real are unbeaten in all of their previous 10 meetings against Girona (four wins, six draws).
- Real Sociedad have registered nine points from their previous four La Liga showdowns in the Basque Country.
- Girona have registered just a single win from any of their previous seven La Liga appearances.
- Continuing on from last season, Girona have recorded just a single clean sheet outside of Catalonia since the start of January.
Conclusion
Suffering consecutive La Liga defeats for the first time since the start of October, Real Sociedad will be desperate to claim a much-welcomed boost here. Hoping to widen their buffer over the drop zone, Friday’s hosts should be smelling a holden opportunity this weekend. Mustering nine points from their last four La Liga showdowns in the Basque Country, Francisco’s camp will meet a Girona squad who are once again scrapping it out in the drop zone. Landing a 3-2 victory when they last welcomed the relegation scrappers to town back on May 18th, we are expecting a similar outcome.
Verdict: Real Sociedad win
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
